Thursday, June 26, 2025

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DC Democrats Spent Over $200 Million on Streetcars. Now They’re Replacing Them With Buses.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: The Washington, D.C. city government is giving up on the H Street streetcar and will replace the 2.2-mile-long above-ground light rail system with an electric bus powered by the existing overhead cables.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Washington D.C. city government, the Democrat-controlled city council, Mayor Muriel Bowser (D), and City Administrator Kevin Donahue.

📍 Where & When: City officials in the nation’s capital announced the decision last week.

💬 Key Quote: City Administrator Kevin Donahue has indicated the overhead cable-powered electric bus line will allow officials “to more nimbly and quickly expand the streetcar line out beyond where we currently are.”

⚠️ Impact: The over $200 million streetcar boondoggle has been an embarrassment for the D.C. city government for over a decade. Only 2.2 miles of the streetcar system were ever opened for use; it lacks a dedicated lane or a mechanism to collect fares, and travels at only 12 to 15 miles per hour.

IN FULL:

Washington, D.C.’s sole, 2.2-mile-long streetcar line will soon be no more, with the city government deciding to replace the over $200 million boondoggle just 15 years after track for the project was first laid on H Street NE and a decade after actual operations commenced. Initially billed as an environmentally friendly, more accessible, and aesthetically pleasing alternative to city buses, the streetcar line will be replaced by a bus once again. Still, in an apparent attempt to save face, Mayor Muriel Bowser insists the electric bus is actually a “next generation streetcar.”

The electric bus that will replace the H Street streetcar will utilize the existing overhead power cables, meaning it will still suffer from some of the existing drawbacks that the failed street-level rail system did. Notably, the existing rail line lacks a barrier separating it from the street, which has resulted in the streetcar being unable to proceed forward when a car is double-parked and blocking its track. While the electric bus will not be confined to a track in the same manner as the streetcar, the overhead cables will still limit its maneuverability.

In over one decade of operation, the D.C. streetcar has never once generated a single dollar of revenue. It operates on a $10 million taxpayer subsidy per year. After years of delays and cost overruns, an eventual rushed rollout of the streetcar caused city officials to neglect installing a fare collection system on the streetcar. Eventually, the city government gave up on any plans to charge streetcar riders as the single 2.2-mile line struggled to match the capacity of buses running along the same route.

Despite the city’s budget constraints playing a significant role in the decision to shutter the sole operating streetcar line, the Democrat-dominated D.C. government still intends to push forward with a costly “green” public transit system. City Administrator Kevin Donahue has indicated that the overhead cable-powered electric bus line will allow officials “to more nimbly and quickly expand the streetcar line out beyond where we currently are.”

Image by Mariordo (Mario Roberto Duran Ortiz).

By Popular Demand.
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More From The Pulse

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Supreme Court: States Can Deny Planned Parenthood Medicaid Funds.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Supreme Court ruled in favor of South Carolina’s effort to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood clinics.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, Medicaid patients, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The case stems from a 2018 executive order in South Carolina, with the Supreme Court issuing its ruling on June 26, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: The decision could pave the way for a number of state governments to bar Planned Parenthood from qualifying for Medicaid funding, delivering a significant financial blow to the abortion provider.

IN FULL

The Supreme Court has ruled that South Carolina has the authority to block Medicaid funding for Planned Parenthood clinics, siding with the state in Medina v. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. Medicaid and government grants comprise a significant portion of Planned Parenthood’s funding, meaning the ruling likely signifies a substantial financial blow to the nation’s largest abortion provider.

South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster (R) signed an executive order in 2018 directing the removal of abortion clinics, including Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, from the Medicaid provider list. McMaster argued that public health dollars directed to Planned Parenthood effectively subsidized abortions. Federal law already prohibits Medicaid funds from being used for abortions except under limited circumstances.

Planned Parenthood South Atlantic contended that the issue was not about abortion but about access to general healthcare services, including contraception, cancer screenings, and STI testing. The organization operates just two clinics in South Carolina. The abortion provider argued that blocking Medicaid funding could significantly impact patients’ access to “care.”

The Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals previously ruled in favor of Planned Parenthood, stating that Medicaid patients could sue to protect their individual right to choose a qualified provider. However, the Supreme Court found that the lower court misinterpreted precedent and that it “permits private plaintiffs to sue for violations of federal spending-power statutes only in ‘atypical’ situations, Talevski, 599 U. S., at 183, where the provision in question ‘clear[ly]’ and ‘unambiguous[ly]’ confers an individual ‘right.'”

Image by Fibonacci Blue.

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By Popular Demand.
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WATCH: Rogan Shuts Down Bernie’s Climate Change Propaganda.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Joe Rogan challenged Senator Bernie Sanders’s claims about climate change during an appearance on Rogan’s podcast.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Joe Rogan, host of The Joe Rogan Experience, and Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT).

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The reality is that the Earth’s temperature has never been static, right? We can both agree on that. It’s always been up and down.” – Joe Rogan.

🎯IMPACT: Rogan used data to counter Sanders’ claims, sparking debate over the interpretation of climate change statistics.

IN FULL

Joe Rogan clashed with Senator Bernie Sanders (I-VT) during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience podcast on Tuesday, disputing the 83-year-old socialist’s assertion that the Earth is experiencing unprecedented warming due to climate change. Sanders claimed, “I think the last ten years have been the warmest on record,” while advocating for green energy initiatives.

Rogan countered, “The reality is that the Earth’s temperature has never been static, right? We can both agree on that. It’s always been up and down. There’s been ice ages and heat waves. And then, The Washington Post looked at it… Essentially, they found that we’re in a cooling period.”

Rogan referenced a Washington Post article that reported the hottest temperature in Earth’s history occurred nearly 100 million years ago, with an average of 96.8 degrees Fahrenheit. This contrasts sharply with the 2023 average of 58.86 degrees Fahrenheit. Rogan added, “This was, like, a very inconvenient discovery. But they had to report the data, and kudos to them for doing that.”

Sanders, appearing unprepared to address Rogan’s points, responded, “Well, I’m not sure. I didn’t read that article, but—but the scientists who are out there—I think—” before Rogan interrupted, pointing out the financial incentives tied to climate change narratives. “There’s a lot of money involved in this, this whole climate change emergency issue. And there’s a lot of control,” Rogan said.

While Sanders pivoted to discussing China’s carbon footprint and the global nature of climate change, he provided no examples to support his claims of increasing extreme weather disturbances. “All I can tell you is that we are, in my view, going to see more extreme weather disturbances in the coming years than we have ever. We’re seeing them right now,” he claimed.

While Sanders largely shares the same views as Democrats on climate change, he has come into conflict with the party after claiming Democrats have abandoned their traditional working-class base. Last November, the DNC attacked Sanders, calling his comments “straight up BS.” Earlier this year, in March, Sanders even praised President Donald J. Trump for his border policies and for cracking down on the smuggling of the deadly drug fentanyl.

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By Popular Demand.
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Top Biden Aide Doesn’t Know Who Approved Autopen Signatures.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A top aide to former President Joe Biden testified before Congress regarding the use of an autopen to sign presidential directives and the approval process behind it, acknowledging she was unsure who actually gave final approval for the autopen’s use.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Neera Tanden, former director of Biden’s Domestic Policy Council, and members of the House Oversight Committee.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tanden testified in a closed-door session on Tuesday at the U.S. Capitol.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[Tanden] explained that to obtain approval for autopen signatures, she would send decision memos to members of the President’s inner circle and had no visibility of what occurred between sending the memo and receiving it back with approval” – House Oversight Chairman James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: The testimony sheds light on the internal processes surrounding Biden’s use of autopen signatures and raises questions about transparency and oversight.

IN FULL

Neera Tanden, a senior aide to former President Joe Biden, testified before the House Oversight Committee on Tuesday in a closed-door session. Serving as Domestic Policy Council director and staff secretary from 2021 to 2023, Tanden was empowered to authorize the use of the autopen to sign orders and legislation on behalf of the President, but she admitted to the committee that she was unaware of who actually gave final approval before its use. The autopen was used, especially in the final year of Biden’s term in office, to sign numerous pardons, memos, executive orders, and other presidential directives.

According to Tanden’s testimony, the approval process for using the autopen was inherited from previous administrations. She explained that decision memos were sent to Biden’s inner circle for approval. However, Tanden reiterated that she was unaware of who specifically gave the final clearance and admitted that she had limited interaction with Biden during her tenure.

When asked whether she had discussed Biden’s health or fitness to serve as President, Tanden denied having such conversations. Lawmakers provided a list of officials she could have potentially discussed these issues with, but Tanden responded “no” to each name, according to sources familiar with the testimony.

Speaking to reporters after the session, Tanden said, “I just spoke with the House Oversight Committee, Majority and Minority Council. I answered every question, was pleased to discuss my public service and it was a thorough process. And I’m glad I answered everyone’s question.” When asked if there was any effort to conceal Biden’s condition, she responded, “Absolutely not.”

The investigation continues as the Oversight Committee plans to hear testimony from other key figures, including Biden’s former White House physician, Dr. Kevin O’Connor, and several other senior advisors. The National Pulse reported on Wednesday that Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to Jill Biden described as the “Wizard of Oz” who ran the Biden White House, is refusing to testify, though Oversight chairman James Comer (R-KY) said the committee will move to subpoena Bernal. Additional aides facing subpoenas are Biden’s former chief of staff, Ron Klain, and communications advisor Anita Dunn.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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SecDef Hegseth Turns The Heat Up on Media Outlets in Fiery Pentagon Presser.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. launched strikes on three of Iran’s nuclear processing sites as part of “Operation Midnight Hammer.” Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is pushing back on claims that they were ineffective, after deep state actors leaked a preliminary report to Natasha Bertrand, a journalist well-known as a conduit for partisans in the intelligence and defense communities to plant anti-Trump narratives in the media.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. military, Defense Secretary Hegseth, President Donald J. Trump, Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Ratcliffe, and Natasha Bertrand.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The strikes targeted Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan in Iran, with their impact discussed during a Pentagon press conference on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You, and I mean specifically YOU, the press, you cheer against Trump so hard, it’s in your DNA and in your blood to cheer against Trump.” – Pete Hegseth

🎯IMPACT: Iran’s nuclear program has been “severely damaged.”

IN FULL

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth defended the U.S. military’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities during a Pentagon press conference on Thursday, describing the operation as a success that “devastated” Iran’s nuclear ambitions. The strikes, part of “Operation Midnight Hammer,” targeted three key nuclear sites: Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan. Hegseth emphasized that the operation avoided targeting Iranian troops or civilians.

Hegseth commended President Donald J. Trump’s leadership, calling the mission “bold” and “brilliant,” while praising the American pilots who flew 36 hours through hostile territory to execute the operation. He criticized media outlets such as The New York Times and CNN for spreading “fake news” via deep state leakers and misrepresenting the mission’s success, which he said undermines the efforts of the pilots involved.

Citing a United Nations nuclear agency, Hegseth noted that the damage to Iran’s nuclear program was described as “enormous.” CIA Director John Ratcliffe also confirmed that the program had been “severely damaged.” Addressing the media directly, Hegseth accused them of bias, stating, “You, and I mean specifically YOU, the press, you cheer against Trump so hard, it’s in your DNA and in your blood to cheer against Trump.”

Notably, the preliminary, low-confidence assessment that the strikes may have only set Iran’s nuclear ambitions back by months was leaked to Natasha Bertrand, a promoter of the Russiagate hoax who was previously used by defense and intelligence community partisans to wrongly suggest that Hunter Biden’s “Laptop from Hell” was likely Russian disinformation prior to the 2020 election. Hegseth said the Iran leakers have an “agenda,” and has previously warned there will be a criminal investigation into them.

Hegseth warned Iran that any forceful retaliation would result in a U.S. response “significantly exceeding” the initial strikes. He stressed that while the U.S. does not seek war, it remains ready to act decisively to protect its interests and allies. He also questioned the lack of media focus on the challenges faced by the pilots, asking, “How many stories have been written about how hard it is to, I don’t know, fly a plane for 36 hours? Has MSNBC done that story? Has Fox? Have we done the story, how hard that is?”

President Trump praised Hegseth’s performance at the conference on his Truth Social platform, writing, “One of the greatest, most professional, and most ‘confirming’ News Conferences I have ever seen! The Fake News should fire everyone involved in this Witch Hunt, and apologize to our great warriors, and everyone else!”

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Slams CNN and NYT Reporting on Iran Bombing as Fake News.

President Donald Trump and his team are slamming CNN and The New York Times for reporting that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities only caused minor delays—not destruction.

The details: CNN and NYT published reports based on anonymous sources inside the Trump administration, which claimed a Defense Intelligence Agency assessment found the bombings only set Iran’s program back “only a few months.”

  • The outlets did caveat that their reports were based on “early findings” and “could change.”
  • The New York Times exposed its bias by framing the story as one that “Upends Victory Lap Trump Was Hoping for.”

The Trump administration responds:

  • President Trump said: “[T]hey’re both, disgusting, disgusting, really horrible groups of people. The pilots did an unbelievable job like nobody’s ever seen. They hit pay dirt.”
  • Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the leak was “flat-out wrong” and came from a “low-level loser.” She added: “Everyone knows what happens when you drop 14 30,000-pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration.”
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “This is what a leaker is telling you the intelligence says… They characterize it for you in a way that is absolutely false.”
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said: “Then the instinct of CNN and New York Times is to try to find a way to spin it for their own political reasons.”

Zoom out: It’s worth noting that this leak from the Pentagon went to CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, who also famously reported that the Hunter Biden laptop was “Russian disinformation.”

How about a neutral source? The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said satellite images from Fordow and Natanz facilities revealed more damage than originally thought, including possible chemical contamination from the nuclear material.

How about a source in the region? According to the CIA, citing a “historically reliable” source, the nuclear program was “severely damaged” and “would have to be rebuilt over the course of years.”

The last word goes to goes to Iran itself, whose Foreign Ministry spokesman admitted to Al Jazeera news that “our nuclear installations have been badly damaged” by the U.S. strikes.

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President Donald Trump and his team are slamming CNN and The New York Times for reporting that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities only caused minor delays—not destruction. show more
By Popular Demand.
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China Spying

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Chinese Student Spies Finally Banned Under Trump Vetting Regime.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Thousands of Chinese nationals posing as students have been denied entry into the U.S. following reports of espionage linked to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chinese nationals, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), the State Department, and experts such as Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul E. Vallely.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing efforts, with recent arrests tied to the University of Michigan and broader visa denials at U.S. embassies worldwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns,” said U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr.

🎯IMPACT: Heightened scrutiny of Chinese students and researchers, with a focus on those studying critical fields or linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

IN FULL

Thousands of Chinese nationals posing as students have been denied entry into the United States after revelations of espionage linked to China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). The scheme, first exposed in 2020, involved operatives being placed at American universities and research centers to steal intellectual property and sensitive information.

Experts estimate that 10,000 Chinese students in the U.S. may be Communist Party agents tasked with acquiring technology, health, and defense secrets. Recently, U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) arrested two Chinese nationals tied to the University of Michigan for attempting to smuggle a toxic fungus into the country, an act described as “agro-terrorism.”

“The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns,” stated U.S. Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon Jr. The State Department has intensified its efforts to identify and block individuals with ties to the Chinese Communist Party or those studying in critical fields from entering the U.S.

While a court injunction currently prevents the deportation of students already in the country, the Trump administration previously ordered U.S. embassies to deny visas to new applicants. Tammy Bruce, a State Department spokeswoman, emphasized, “We use every tool that we have to vet and to make sure we know who’s coming in.”

Retired Army Maj. Gen. Paul E. Vallely warned that the Chinese regime carefully selects students bound for U.S. institutions, briefing them to report their findings to Chinese intelligence operatives. “It’s a very well-organized, very well-programmed operation,” Vallely explained. Nearly 300,000 Chinese students were studying in the U.S. during the 2023–24 academic year, including at New York University, where Barron Trump is enrolled.

Chinese infiltration was seen as early as 2021 when the Harvard Kennedy School collaborated with several CCP propaganda arms looking to influence Western organisations.

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By Popular Demand.
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Elon Musk’s Self-Driving Cars Are Under Investigation.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Muks’s Tesla is under investigation in both the U.S. and France over concerns about its self-driving technology and safety practices.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tesla, Musk, the U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), French regulators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Investigations launched in 2025 following incidents in Austin, Texas, and regulatory actions in France.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I predict that there will be millions of Teslas operating fully autonomously in the second half of next year.” – Elon Musk

🎯IMPACT: Tesla faces regulatory challenges, safety concerns, and backlash in key markets, impacting its reputation and sales.

IN FULL

Tesla is facing regulatory scrutiny in both the United States and France over its self-driving technology and safety claims. The U.S. National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has launched an investigation into Tesla‘s Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, after videos surfaced showing vehicles violating traffic laws during their debut weekend.

In France, regulators have ordered Tesla to cease what they described as “deceptive marketing practices” regarding the autonomous driving capabilities of its vehicles. The French action follows a sharp decline in Tesla’s local sales, with registrations dropping from 3,118 in January last year to 1,141 this year.

Videos posted online showed troubling incidents involving the Robotaxi service, including one vehicle veering into a lane for oncoming traffic before crossing double yellow lines to correct itself. The rollout in Austin involved about 10 vehicles operating in a limited area, each with a safety driver in the front passenger seat.

The NHTSA confirmed it is “aware of the referenced incidents and is in contact with the manufacturer to gather additional information.” The agency emphasized that manufacturers are responsible for self-certifying that their vehicles meet safety standards, with regulators investigating potential defects afterward. “NHTSA will continue to enforce the law on all manufacturers of motor vehicles and equipment, in accordance with the Vehicle Safety Act and our data-driven, risk-based investigative process,” the agency said.

Meanwhile, Tesla CEO Elon Musk has remained optimistic about the company’s autonomous driving ambitions, stating during an earnings call in April: “I predict that there will be millions of Teslas operating fully autonomously in the second half of next year.” However, Tesla’s challenges extend beyond regulatory scrutiny, with incidents like suspected arson attacks on Tesla vehicles and lawsuits alleging the company’s association with Musk’s political views has harmed its brand.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Is Expanding Military Zones Along the Border to Stop Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Pentagon is expanding two new military zones at the southern border to further enhance border security.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Pentagon, U.S. Marine Corps, and U.S. Border Patrol.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The expansion was reported on June 25, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The establishment of a second National Defense Area increases our operational reach and effectiveness in denying illegal activity along the southern border,” said U.S. Northern Command chief General Gregory Guillot.

🎯IMPACT: The move further strengthens the border as illegal crossing numbers rapidly decline under President Donald J. Trump.

IN FULL

The Pentagon is designating two new military zones along the southwestern border in Arizona and Texas, intensifying the Trump administration’s efforts to further secure the southern border with Mexico, amid a sharp drop in migrant crossings.

The new zones, officially National Defense Areas, will be patrolled by U.S. troops. One will be added to the Marine Corps Air Station in Yuma, Arizona, and the other to Joint Base San Antonio in Texas. Officials say illegal immigrants entering these zones will be treated as trespassers and may be detained by troops until Border Patrol arrives.

“The establishment of a second National Defense Area increases our operational reach and effectiveness in denying illegal activity along the southern border,” said U.S. Northern Command chief General Gregory Guillot.

These additions bring the total to four newly established military zones along the border. Previously in April, a 200-mile, 60-foot-wide strip along New Mexico was added to a military base. A 63-mile zone near Fort Bliss, Texas, was also recently designated.

Nearly 9,000 active-duty troops are now deployed at the border. The buildup includes surveillance aircraft and U.S. Navy ships offshore, under Joint Task Force–Southern Border, led by U.S. Northern Command. Ground forces include combat-seasoned troops from the Army’s Fourth Infantry Division.

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Zohran Mamdani’s Religious Sect Wants 1200-Year-Old Final ‘Prophet’ to Spread Islam Globally.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Zohran Mamdani won the Democratic primary in New York City, prompting warnings about the rise of Islamist-progressive politics in America’s largest city.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, Raheem Kassam, Stephen K. Bannon, progressive voters, Twelver Muslims, New York City electorate.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 25, 2025; New York City, NY

💬KEY QUOTE: “New York City did not take one small step towards [Sharia] yesterday, it took one giant leap towards it.” – Raheem J. Kassam

🎯IMPACT: The victory reveals deep fractures over identity politics, Islamism, and leftist economics, and raises questions about the future of New York’s political landscape.

IN FULL

Reacting to the outcome of the New York City Democratic primary, Raheem Kassam warned WarRoom viewers that the election of Zohran Mamdani represents a radical shift in the city’s politics. “New York City did not take one small step towards it yesterday, it took one giant leap towards it yesterday,” he said, referencing the rise of Islamist-aligned, hard-left political figures and the subtitle of his book No Go Zones: How Sharia Law is Coming to A Neighborhood Near You, which predicted much of what is happening with Islam in America today.

Mamdani, a self-identified follower of Twelver Shia Islam, is a member of a sect that “believe that to this day there is a 1,200-year-old living prophet on Earth who is in hiding and is going to come out at some point soon, and proselytize Islam the world over.”

Kassam highlighted the candidate’s religious affiliations and accused the media of completely ignoring their relevance: “I’ve yet to hear any reporters on the campaign trail in New York put these questions to him and say, ‘Hey… do you really believe in this stuff?’”

He warned of severe consequences for the city, mocking Mamdani’s economic plans: “He’s talking about rent control, grocery stores owned by the government. All these, all of these Caracas-style policies that have failed the world over time and time again.” Kassam quoted a social media post saying, “The funny thing is, he will bring prices down. Once everyone leaves, there will be no demand and prices will come down.”

Kassam ended by blasting the contradictions of Mamdani’s identity politics campaign: “He’s put together this unholy alliance, right? I mean, he’s going out there on the one hand saying he’s a twelver Muslim. On the other hand, he’s saying he’s for LGBT rights.” According to Kassam, that contradiction is “haram” under Twelver doctrine, and should be a central attack point: “To me personally, if I were running a campaign against him, I would drive this wedge through his campaign over and over and over again.”

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Who is Biden’s ‘Wizard of Oz’ Refusing to Testify Before Congress?

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to Jill Biden, is refusing to testify before the House Oversight Committee regarding Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and potential misuse of the autopen.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Anthony Bernal, Representative James Comer (R-KY), Neera Tanden, and other Biden government aides.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bernal declined to testify on June 26, 2025, following the White House Counsel’s Office announcement on June 25, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth.” – Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: The Oversight Committee plans to subpoena Bernal to compel testimony as part of the investigation into Biden’s fitness for office.

IN FULL

Anthony Bernal, a senior adviser to Jill Biden described as the “Wizard of Ozwho ran the Biden White House, is refusing to testify in the House Oversight Committee’s investigation into former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and potential misuse of the autopen. House Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY) announced on Wednesday that Bernal declined to appear for a June 26 interview, despite the White House waiving his executive privilege.

Comer criticized Bernal’s decision, stating, “Now that the White House has waived executive privilege, it’s abundantly clear that Anthony Bernal—Jill Biden’s so-called ‘work husband’—never intended to be transparent about Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and the ensuing cover-up. With no privilege left to hide behind, Mr. Bernal is now running scared, desperate to bury the truth. The American people deserve answers and accountability, and the Oversight Committee will not tolerate this obstruction. I will promptly issue a subpoena to compel Anthony Bernal’s testimony before the Committee.”

Bernal had initially agreed to participate in a transcribed interview. However, following the White House Counsel’s Office announcement that executive privilege for nine former Biden aides had been waived, Bernal’s legal team informed the committee he would no longer appear.

Comer also referenced testimony from Neera Tanden, the former White House staff secretary, who testified that she had minimal interaction with President Biden despite holding significant authority over the autopen process. Comer noted, “Her testimony raises serious questions about who was really calling the shots in the Biden White House amid the president’s obvious decline. We will continue to pursue the truth for the American people.”

Bernal is one of four Biden government aides, including Neera Tanden, Ashley Williams, and Annie Tomasini, who had previously agreed to transcribed interviews. Kevin O’Connor, Biden’s former White House doctor, is scheduled to testify in a closed-door deposition on July 9.

A secret recording of now-former Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chair David Hogg and Biden White House staffer Deterrian Jones, covered by The National Pulse in Ma,y shows the pair describing Bernal as wielding “an enormous amount of power” and “scary.”

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