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April 30, 2025
Economy
Politics

President Trump Shifts White House Focus to Tax Cuts for Americans as Ukraine Peace Remains Elusive.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is urging Congress to pass a comprehensive bill aimed at implementing major tax cuts. The move comes as the America First leader appears to be refocusing his White House on critical domestic and economic issues, having expressed frustration with the lack of progress in U.S. mediation of the Russia-Ukraine war.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Congress.

📍 Where & When: President Trump ramped up pressure on Congress to finalize and pass a reconciliation bill providing tax relief Tuesday night at a rally in Michigan.

💬 Key Quote: “In the coming weeks and months, we will pass the largest tax cuts in American History—and that will include No Tax on Tips, NO Tax on Social Security, and No Tax on Overtime. It’s called the one big beautiful bill,” President Trump said.

⚠️ Impact: The proposal could increase real wages by up to $3,300 annually, boost take-home pay for median-income households by up to $5,000 per year, elevate short-run GDP by 3.3-3.8 percent and long-term GDP by 2.6-3.2 percent, and preserve 4.1 million jobs.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump appears to be refocusing his administration to tackle key domestic policy issues, as a solution to end the Russia-Ukraine war continues to be elusive. The America First leader, speaking at a rally Tuesday night in Michigan, called on lawmakers on Capitol Hill to work to pass a reconciliation bill that will implement his proposed overhaul of the U.S. tax code and make the 2017 Trump tax cuts—the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA)—permanent.

“In the coming weeks and months, we will pass the largest tax cuts in American History—and that will include No Tax on Tips, NO Tax on Social Security, and No Tax on Overtime. It’s called the one big beautiful bill,” President Trump declared. The proposal aims to provide substantial tax reductions, touted as the largest in history, for the American populace.

The tax overhaul includes noteworthy provisions to exempt tips, overtime, and Social Security for seniors from taxation. Additionally, the Trump White House contends the proposal will increase real wages by as much as $3,300 per year, with median-income households potentially seeing up to $5,000 more in take-home pay annually.

Meanwhile, President Trump’s economic team argues that the tax cuts will have an extensive impact on the U.S. economy. According to the White House’s Council of Economic Advisors (CEA), the permanence of the 2017 tax cuts could result in an uptick in short-run real GDP between 3.3 and 3.8 percent. The long-run effects are anticipated to boost GDP by 2.6 to 3.2 percent. The CEA analysis also projects that the tax plan could save a total of 4.1 million jobs, offering a substantial economic safety net.

Earlier this year, the U.S. House of Representatives and Senate adopted respective budget resolutions, kick-starting the budget reconciliation process. This bill will serve as the vehicle for President Trump’s tax overhaul. Notably, reconciliation bills cannot be filibustered in the Senate, meaning Congressional Democrats have few procedural tools to delay or stop the legislation.

WATCH:

By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
William Upton
Economy
Politics

Trump White House Unveils Lean 2026 Budget Proposal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) presented President Donald J. Trump’s discretionary budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 to Congress. Notably, the Trump White House touts the plan as being a “skinny budget,” with significant cuts being proposed for a bevy of agencies and federal programs.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, U.S. Congress, and Russ Vought, Director of the Office of Management and Budget.

📍 Where & When: The budget plan was presented to Congress in Washington, D.C., on Friday, May 2.

💬 Key Quote: OMB Director Russ Vought stated, “At this critical moment, we need a historic Budget—one that ends the funding of our decline, puts Americans first, and delivers unprecedented support to our military and homeland security.”

⚠️ Impact: The budget suggests a major restructuring of federal funding, with significant cuts to non-defense programs and increases in defense and homeland security spending, aiming to redirect resources to support national security and infrastructure.

IN FULL:

The Office of Management and Budget (OMB) sent President Donald J. Trump’s discretionary budget proposal for the 2026 fiscal year to Congress on Friday, with the push for steep spending cuts rankling some Republican lawmakers at the Capitol. The proposal calls for a $163 billion reduction in non-defense discretionary spending compared to the previous year, with a focus on increasing funding for the military and border security.

President Trump’s OMB Director, Russ Vought, pitched the budget plan to lawmakers and the American public, stating: “At this critical moment, we need a historic Budget—one that ends the funding of our decline, puts Americans first, and delivers unprecedented support to our military and homeland security.” Notably, the proposals seek to codify many of the spending cuts enacted by the American First leader through the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), making it more difficult for Democrats to restore the programs if they were to win the White House in 2028.

While many House Republicans have cheered the DOGE cuts and signaled their support for the budget plan, some influential Republican lawmakers chairing key committees appear less than enthused with the proposed spending cuts. “Look, we’re supportive of this administration and what it’s trying to do,” Representative Tom Cole (R-OK), who chairs the powerful House Appropriations Committee, said on Friday. He added: “But with all due respect to anybody, I think the members have a better understanding of what can pass and what can’t than the Executive Branch does.”

Historically, budgets proposed by the President and sent to Congress undergo significant changes on Capitol Hill. The plan has and does, however, serve as a guide for lawmakers as to what the White House sees as policy priorities. Additionally, many of the non-defense discretionary spending cuts come through eliminating grants and other federal programs that have largely funded the Democratic Party’s diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) agenda.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
News
UK

Nigel Farage Hails Reform’s Triumph as ‘Apocalypse’ for Two-Party System.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has achieved a significant breakthrough in England, winning local and mayoral elections and securing a parliamentary seat in a by-election (special election).

👥 Who’s Involved: Nigel Farage, voters in England, the Labour and Conservative parties.

📍 Where & When: Various locations across England, including Durham, Northumberland, and Essex, during the 2025 local elections.

💬 Key Quote: Nigel Farage stated, “People vote for us because they want change. They’re sick of the two-party system.”

⚠️ Impact: The election results signify a shift in the political landscape, with challenges for established parties like the governing Labour Party and the formerly governing  Conservatives (Tories).

IN FULL:

Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has made massive inroads in England‘s local elections, taking a pivotal step beyond their previous political influence. The 2025 elections resulted in Reform securing vital positions, including a new parliamentary seat, and control of numerous municipal governments, suggesting a growing disenchantment with the establishment Labour and Conservative parties.

At the heart of this shift was the Runcorn and Helsby by-election, where Reform claimed victory. The leftist Labour Party previously regarded it as a stronghold, with a majority of nearly 14,700 votes from the general election held just last year.

In Durham County Council, Reform captured 17 seats formerly held by both Labour and the Conservatives. Nigel Farage told the media, “Two-party politics just died in front of our eyes. What happened here in County Durham, in Lancashire, and in Runcorn and Helsby, it’s pretty cataclysmic for the Labour Party.”

He emphasized that Reform aims to scrutinize government spending, reduce unnecessary expenditures, and prioritize core services over climate change initiatives. “We need to shrink the size of local government, reduce excessive spending, and get back to delivering the core services that county councils are supposed to provide,” Farage said.

Farage dismissed notions of an immediate bid for the prime ministership, emphasizing focus on forthcoming elections in Scotland and Wales as necessary steps before contemplating higher ambitions.

Image by IncMonocle.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 hours ago
News

WATCH: Dem Governor Says He Is Not Afraid of Being Arrested by Border Czar Homan.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Wisconsin Gov. Tony Evers expressed concern over suggestions from President Trump’s top border adviser that he might face arrest due to guidance he issued to state employees regarding interactions with federal immigration agents.

👥 Who’s Involved: Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Border Czar Tom Homan, and state employees.

📍 Where & When: Madison, Wisconsin; Evers’ video statement released on YouTube Friday.

💬 Key Quote: Gov. Evers stated, “I’m not afraid… I’ve never once been discouraged from doing the right thing and I will not start today.”

⚠️ Impact: The situation highlights tensions between state guidance and federal immigration enforcement, with implications for state-federal relations and employee legal protection.

IN FULL:

Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers (D) has said he is not afraid of being arrested after Border Czar Tom Homan suggested that officials helping illegal aliens evade federal authorities could be subject to arrest themselves. This stems from guidance Evers provided state workers on how to deal with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.

Evers’s instructions included contacting a lawyer if ICE agents are encountered and advising employees to refrain from allowing access to records or responding to queries without legal counsel. These recommendations resemble those issued earlier by Connecticut’s governor, Ned Lamont (D).

“[Y]ou can not support what we’re doing, and you can support sanctuary cities if that’s what you want to do, but if you cross that line to impediment or knowingly harboring and concealing an illegal alien, that’s a felony and we’re treating it as such,” Homan said on May 1.

Evers, choosing to interpret this as a veiled threat to arrest him, has issued a video statement insisting that his actions are within the law. “I’m not afraid,” Evers said, adding, “I’ve never once been discouraged from doing the right thing, and I will not start today.”

Evers’s remarks come after a federal judge in Milwaukee was arrested after allegedly trying to conceal an illegal immigrant in her courthouse last month.

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By Popular Demand.
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8 hours ago
Immigration
Lawfare

Trump Admin Seeks Supreme Court Decision Allowing Deportation of 350K Venezuelans.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Trump administration requested the Supreme Court allow its attempt to end a Joe Biden-era immigration program protecting Venezuelan nationals from deportation.

👥 Who’s Involved: The key figures include U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, and U.S. Senior District Court Judge Edward Chen.

📍 Where & When: The appeal was filed with the United States Supreme Court after a federal judge in March blocked the Trump administration’s revocation of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for illegal immigrants from Venezuela.

💬 Key Quote: “The Secretary’s decision whether to designate, extend, or terminate TPS implicates sensitive judgments as to foreign policy and, in this case, the ‘national interest’—a discretionary determination that Congress expressly committed to her judgment,” wrote President Trump’s Solicitor General, John Sauer, in an emergency appeal filed with the high court.

⚠️ Impact: The decision could affect 348,202 Venezuelan nationals in the U.S., facilitating more deportations.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration has filed an emergency appeal with the United States Supreme Court asking it to overturn a lower court order barring Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem from ending the Joe Biden-era Temporary Protected Status (TPS) designation granted to Venezuelan illegal immigrants residing in the United States. At the end of March this year, U.S. Senior District Court Judge Edward Chen issued an order preventing the Trump administration from ending the TPS designation, insisting revoking the protections would “inflict irreparable harm on hundreds of thousands of persons whose lives, families, and livelihoods will be severely disrupted, cost the United States billions in economic activity, and injure public health and safety in communities throughout the United States.”

“The Secretary’s decision whether to designate, extend, or terminate TPS implicates sensitive judgments as to foreign policy and, in this case, the ‘national interest’—a discretionary determination that Congress expressly committed to her judgment,” U.S. Solicitor General John Sauer wrote in the Trump administration appeal. He continued, referencing the District Court’s ruling: “The court contravened an express bar on judicial review, sidestepped black-letter law authorizing agencies to reverse as-yet-inoperative actions, and embraced a baseless equal-protection theory on the road to issuing impermissible universal relief that intrudes on central Executive Branch operations.”

“It’s order upsets the judgments of the political branches, prohibiting the Executive Branch from enforcing a time-sensitive immigration policy and indefinitely extending an immigration status that Congress intended to be ‘temporary,” Saur concluded.

Under former President Joe Biden, the TPS program was radically altered by the then-Department of Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, who originally arrived in the U.S. as a migrant. Congress initially intended the program to be narrow in scope, only granting a short period of protection to individuals who had been displaced by natural disasters or armed conflict. However, the Biden government implemented policy changes turning TPS into a de facto amnesty program.

At the end of January this year, Secretary Noem announced that the Department of Homeland Security was revoking an extension of TPS status for Venezuelans that Biden had enacted just before he left office. The move prompted a group of Venezuelan illegal immigrants to sue the Trump administration with the backing of the ACLU Foundation of Northern California, the Center for Immigration Law and Policy at UCLA School of Law, California, the ACLU Foundation of Southern California, and the National Day Laborer Organizing Network

Image by Domenico Convertini.

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By Popular Demand.
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8 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
War

U.S. Steps Back from Mediation Role in Ukraine, Urges Kiev, Moscow to Get Serious About Peace.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The U.S. State Department confirmed on May 1, 2025, that it will no longer mediate peace talks between Ukraine and Russia, shifting responsibility to Kiev and Moscow to resolve the conflict.

👥 Who’s Involved: Vice President J.D. Vance, State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, President Donald J. Trump, and leaders in Ukraine and Russia.

📍 Where & When: Announced by the State Department in Washington, D.C., on May 1, 2025, with Vance’s comments on Fox News.

💬 Key Quote: Vice President Vance stated, “It’s not going anywhere… it’s not going to end any time soon,” emphasizing that “it would now be up to them to come to an agreement and stop this brutal, brutal conflict.”

⚠️ Impact: The U.S. withdrawal from mediation signals a strategic pivot, allowing the Trump administration to focus on domestic priorities instead of a foreign war, while pressuring both sides to take ownership of peace negotiations.

IN FULL:

The United States is stepping back from its role as a mediator in peace negotiations between Ukraine and Russia, a move confirmed by the State Department on May 1, 2025. Vice President J.D. Vance delivered a stark warning about the war’s trajectory, telling Fox News, “It’s not going anywhere… it’s not going to end any time soon.” He stressed that the onus is now on Kyiv and Moscow to resolve the conflict, stating, “It would now be up to them to come to an agreement and stop this brutal, brutal conflict.”

State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce elaborated on the policy change, noting that the U.S. is altering “the methodology of how we contribute” to the talks. She made clear that the days of extensive U.S. involvement are over, saying, “We will continue to help, but we will no longer fly around the world as mediators in meetings.”

Bruce added, “Now it is up to the two sides, the time has come when they must present and develop concrete ideas on how to end this conflict. It will be up to them.” The announcement follows the State Department’s warning that it would withdraw unless “concrete proposals” emerged from both parties, a condition unmet amid escalating violence, including Russia’s largest assault on Kiev since July 2024, which killed at least 12 and injured 90, according to Ukrainian officials.

Vance highlighted President Trump’s efforts to bring both sides to the negotiating table, but emphasized that the U.S. will no longer lead the mediation process. The Kremlin has expressed openness to direct talks but rejected a recent U.S. peace proposal, insisting on international recognition of its seized territories—a demand Ukraine staunchly opposes.

With both sides entrenched, the U.S. decision to step back allows the Trump administration to redirect its focus to pressing domestic issues such as economic renewal and mass deportations, while pushing Kiev and Moscow to take responsibility for ending their conflict.

Image via Mvs.gov.ua.

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By Popular Demand.
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9 hours ago
Economy
World

Canadian Prime Minister Carney Set for White House Meeting with Trump.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney announced he will travel to the White House in Washington, D.C. next Tuesday for a meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump amidst ongoing trade tensions. The former central banker for both the Bank of Canada and the Bank of England stressed that he intends to fight for the best possible trade deal for Canada.

👥 Who’s Involved: Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney and U.S. President Donald Trump.

📍 Where & When: Meeting at the White House, Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, May 6.

💬 Key Quote: “We are meeting as heads of our government. I am not pretending those discussions will be easy,” Carney said, adding: “Our old relationship, based on steadily increasing integration, is over. The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future and where we in Canada will move on.”

⚠️ Impact: The meeting signifies a pivotal diplomatic engagement amidst altered Canada-U.S. relations, with potential implications for trade between the two nations and Canadian sovereignty.

IN FULL:

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney is set to visit the White House on Tuesday to meet with U.S. President Donald J. Trump. This meeting comes amidst heightened tensions over trade and national sovereignty. Carney’s Liberal Party narrowly won enough parliamentary seats to form a minority government, as no other party or coalition can control a majority. Despite the close contest, Carney has attempted to frame his victory as a rebuke of President Trump’s tariff policies and push to absorb America’s northern neighbor.

“We are meeting as heads of our government. I am not pretending those discussions will be easy,” Carney stated at a press conference on Friday. He added: “Our old relationship, based on steadily increasing integration, is over. The questions now are how our nations will cooperate in the future and where we in Canada will move on.”

The Liberal Party leader and former central banker, who replaced former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau following his resignation from office in March, said that while he has already had constructive conversations with President Trump, “My government will fight to get the best deal for Canada.”

Currently, the United States tariffs Canadian imports at 25 percent, except for energy and potash exports, which are only subject to a 10 percent rate. The U.S. tariffs and President Trump’s repeated assertion that he would like to see Canada become America’s 51st state have become serious points of contention for Carney.

Image via Bank of England.

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By Popular Demand.
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10 hours ago
Data
NatSec

Over 25% of Americans View Chinese Americans as Threat.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: New survey data reveals that an increasing number of Americans are concerned that individuals of Chinese heritage and origin could threaten the country’s national security. Additionally, the survey found that 40 percent of respondents believe Asian Americans are more loyal to their countries of origin than the United States.

👥 Who’s Involved: The survey was conducted by The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), led by CEO Norman Chen,  as part of its fifth annual Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the U.S. (STAATUS) Index.

📍 Where & When: The survey analyzed responses from an online panel of nearly 5,000 individuals aged 16 and older between  January 22 and February 25, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “In 2021, we launched the STAATUS Index to explore how Asian Americans were being scapegoated, invisibilized, and viewed through the lens of toxic stereotypes during the pandemic,” TAAF CEO Norman Chen stated, contending: “Five years later, the data shows there is a growing perception that Asian Americans are more loyal to their countries of origin than to the U.S.—a reflection of the rising belief in the ‘perpetual foreigner’ stereotype.”

⚠️ Impact: The shifting view toward Asian Americans—especially those of Chinese origin—comes amid increasing tensions between Chinese Communist Party (CCP) leader Xi Jinping and U.S. President Donald J. Trump over the latter’s imposition of a 145 percent tariff rate on Chinese imports.

IN FULL:

The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)’s fifth annual Social Tracking of Asian Americans in the U.S. (STAATUS) Index survey has found that an increasing number of Americans at large view Asian Americans with suspicion and question their loyalty to the United States. According to the survey, 40 percent of respondents said they see Asian Americans as being more loyal to their country of origin than the U.S., while 25 percent said they’re concerned that Chinese Americans are a threat to national security.

Norman Chen, the CEO of TAAF, said the organization launched the STAATUS survey in 2021 “to explore how Asian Americans were being scapegoated, invisibilized, and viewed through the lens of toxic stereotypes during the pandemic,” with the data five years later confirming his fears. “Five years later, the data shows there is a growing perception that Asian Americans are more loyal to their countries of origin than to the U.S.—a reflection of the rising belief in the ‘perpetual foreigner’ stereotype,” Chen claimed.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, the Asian American community claimed they saw an increase in ethnically motivated violence stemming from people blaming them for the global health crisis. Pew Research data from 2021 found that one-third of Asian Americans feared that they could be the victim of a targeted attack because of their ethnicity.

Even though the pandemic ended several years ago, continued concerns about individuals of Asian heritage, especially those hailing from China, are likely being fueled by the Chinese Communist Party’s (CCP) increasingly hostile actions toward the United States. Notably, the U.S. Congress and the American intelligence community both claim that CCP-backed espionage operations targeting the U.S. were significantly expanded in 2024.

Meanwhile, tensions between the United States and the Chinese Communist regime are at an all-time high. President Donald J. Trump has implemented a 145 percent tariff rate on most Chinese imports in response to the Asian nation’s restrictive measures against American imports and continued manipulation of its currency to make its exports more attractive to consumers abroad, at the expense of American producers.

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By Popular Demand.
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10 hours ago
War
World

Trump Poised to Strike Another Minerals Deal Amid African Peace Push.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The U.S. is encouraging Congo and Rwanda to sign a peace agreement at the White House within roughly two months, which will include bilateral mineral deals attracting Western investment.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Rwanda, U.S. government, M23 rebel group, U.S. Africa advisor Massad Boulos, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Western companies.

📍 Where & When: White House signing proposed in about two months; drafts expected Friday; mid-May meeting in Washington; ongoing conflict in eastern Congo.

💬 Key Quote: “When we sign the peace agreement … the minerals deal with the DRC will be signed on that day, and then a similar package, but of a different size, will be signed on that day with Rwanda.” — Massad Boulos, U.S. senior advisor for Africa.

⚠️ Impact: The accord may facilitate Western investments in Congolese and Rwandan mines, contingent upon security measures being addressed, supporting regional stability, and reducing Chinese influence.

IN FULL:

The Trump administration is actively working to facilitate a peace agreement between the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, aiming for a formal signing at the White House within two months. The accord is expected to be accompanied by bilateral mineral agreements, bringing substantial investments from Western firms to the mineral-abundant region. Massad Boulos, President Donald J. Trump’s senior advisor for Africa, confirmed this development during an engagement in Doha, Qatar.

“When we sign the peace agreement … the minerals deal with the DRC (Democratic Republic of Congo) will be signed on that day, and then a similar package, but of a different size, will be signed on that day with Rwanda,” Boulos said.

Presently, the North Kivu province in the Democratic Republic of Congo experiences significant unrest, due to activities from the M23 rebels, widely believed to be backed by Rwanda—although Rwanda officially denies involvement. Both nations are anticipated to present drafts of the proposed peace accord shortly, as a prelude to a meeting in Washington scheduled for mid-May, where U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio will meet with their foreign ministers.

The deal also seeks large-scale investments in the mining sector, particularly in Congo, which possesses extensive resources but has substantial infrastructure needs. Rwanda is recognized for its mid- to downstream mining capabilities. Strategically, greater Western involvement in the region would likely diminish longstanding Chinese influence.

The investment agreements will be conditional on both countries addressing specific security concerns. These include the withdrawal of Rwandan troops from Congolese territory and the cessation of support for the M23 group. Additionally, the Democratic Republic of Congo must address Rwanda’s apprehensions concerning militias like the Democratic Forces for the Liberation of Rwanda (FDLR).

Ahead of the intended White House ceremony, a committee comprised of representatives from the U.S., Qatar, France, and Togo (representing the African Union) will monitor each country’s adherence to the preliminary terms.

The accords come just days after President Trump confirmed a mineral deal with Ukraine covering several key resources, such as rare earth minerals. The agreement is part of the larger peace process to end Ukraine’s ongoing conflict with Russia.

Image by MONUSCO Photos/Clara Padovan.

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By Popular Demand.
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11 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Immigration
News

ICE Nets Over 1,100 Illegals in Biggest-Ever Single-State Operation.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Operation Tidal Wave, a first-of-its-kind joint operation in Florida from April 21 to April 26, 2025, led to the arrest of 1,120 criminal illegal aliens, the largest single-state operation in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) history.

👥 Who’s Involved: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and multiple Florida sheriff’s offices.

📍 Where & When: Statewide operation across Florida, conducted from April 21 to April 26, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Florida is proud to work closely with the Trump administration and help deliver on the 2024 mandate from America that our borders be secured and our immigration laws be followed.” — Gov. Ron DeSantis.

⚠️ Impact: The operation underscores the Trump administration’s commitment to mass deportations, setting a model for federal-state collaboration to enhance public safety nationwide.

IN FULL:

In a historic crackdown on illegal immigration, Operation Tidal Wave swept through Florida from April 21 to April 26, 2025, resulting in the arrest of 1,120 illegal aliens—the largest single-state operation in ICE history. The first-of-its-kind partnership between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), and Florida state agencies targeted violent offenders, gang members, and public safety threats, with 63 percent of those arrested having prior criminal arrests or convictions.

The operation apprehended 378 individuals with final orders of removal, including members of notorious gangs like MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Brown Pride Aztecas, Barrio Azteca, Surenos, and the 18th Street Gang. Among the arrests were active gang members like Luis Melito Gonzalez Arrellanno (Brown Pride Aztecas) and Aron Isaak Morazan Izaguirre (18th Street Gang), both with extensive criminal histories. The arrested individuals hailed primarily from Guatemala (437), Mexico (280), Honduras (153), Venezuela (48), and El Salvador (24), with 178 from other countries. Those with final orders or prior illegal reentries face immediate removal, while others await processing.

ICE Deputy Director Madison Sheahan praised the effort, stating, “Last week’s operational success of arresting more than 1,100 criminal illegal aliens was truly a collaborative whole-of-government effort by our federal, state, and local law enforcement partners in Florida.” She highlighted the daily risks officers take to remove dangerous criminals and restore integrity to the immigration system.

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, a key supporter of the operation, affirmed the state’s role, saying, “Florida is proud to work closely with the Trump administration and help deliver on the 2024 mandate from America that our borders be secured and our immigration laws be followed.” DeSantis added, “I’ve insisted that Florida be the tip of the spear when it comes to state support of federal immigration enforcement.”

Florida’s leadership in 287(g) partnerships, which delegate federal immigration enforcement to state and local officials, was instrumental, with significant assistance from sheriff’s offices in many counties. Miami Sector Border Patrol Chief Patrol Agent Jeffrey Dinise emphasized the operation’s impact, stating, “Dangerous criminals have no place in our country. We will apply CBP’s collective intelligence and operational capabilities to target those here illegally who endanger our citizens and the American way of life.”

The landmark operation sets a powerful precedent for state authorities collaborating with federal authorities to assist the Trump administration’s immigration policies—something activist judges are trying to prevent.

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12 hours ago
William Upton
Economy

Jobs Report Beats Expectations for Second Straight Month, Indicating Trump Economy Remains Strong.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The U.S. added 177,000 jobs this April, beating employment forecasts for a second consecutive month. Notably, April saw significant job growth across several key economic sectors, with construction employment increasing for the third straight month. The transportation and warehousing, leisure and hospitality, and private education and health services industries also saw significant employment growth.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, the U.S. Department of Labor, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, various economists, and business figures.

📍 Where & When: The jobs numbers were released by the U.S. Department of Labor on Friday, May 2, and cover data from the month of April 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “Gasoline just broke $1.98 a Gallon, lowest in years, groceries (and eggs!) down, energy down, mortgage rates down, employment strong, and much more good news, as Billions of Dollars pour in from Tariffs. Just like I said, and we’re only in a TRANSITION STAGE, just getting started!!!” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social.

⚠️ Impact: Labor force participation increased, real average hourly wages rose nearly four percent over the past year, and the federal government reduced jobs for the third month in a row. Additionally, the unemployment rate—currently near historic lows—remained unchanged at 4.2 percent.

IN FULL:

The U.S. Department of Labor announced that 177,000 new jobs were created in April, surpassing market expectations once again. This marks the second month in a row the report has shown stronger-than-expected job growth, with the Trump White House touting the data as evidence that the America First leader’s economic policies aimed at revitalizing the American labor market are working.

“Gasoline just broke $1.98 a Gallon, lowest in years, groceries (and eggs!) down, energy down, mortgage rates down, employment strong, and much more good news, as Billions of Dollars pour in from Tariffs. Just like I said, and we’re only in a TRANSITION STAGE, just getting started!!!” President Trump wrote in a post on his Truth Social platform Friday morning. He added, “Consumers have been waiting for years to see pricing come down. NO INFLATION, THE FED SHOULD LOWER ITS RATE!!!”

April’s jobs numbers contradict the narrative pushed by the corporate media and Wall Street, which contend that President Trump’s imposition of tariffs on foreign imports will lead to layoffs, a declining economy, and even a potential recession. Notably, last month’s hirings surpassed the 12-month average of 152,000 jobs.

According to the data, several industries expected to see immediate negative impacts from the tariffs actually added jobs in April. Private education and health services saw over 70,000 new jobs created, while transportation and warehousing saw nearly 30,000. Additionally, the leisure and hospitality industry added over 24,000 jobs, and professional and business services added 17,000.

“This is the second month in a row where the jobs report has beat expectations. Wages are continuing to rise and labor force participation is increasing. This is exactly what we want to see. More Americans working for higher wages. More winning is on the way,” White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said after the report was released.

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By Popular Demand.
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