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July 23, 2025
1A
News

New York Pays Out $225K After Trying to Force Christian Photographer to Shoot Gay Weddings.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New York agreed to pay $225,000 in legal fees to Christian wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter and promised not to enforce laws that infringed on her First Amendment rights by trying to coerce her into shooting homosexual weddings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Emilee Carpenter, New York Attorney General Letitia James, U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci, and the Alliance Defending Freedom.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The legal battle concluded with a consent decree following a May ruling in a New York federal court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “New Yorkers can now enjoy the freedom to create and express themselves, a freedom that protects all Americans regardless of their views,” said Bryan Neihart of the Alliance Defending Freedom.

🎯IMPACT: The decision upholds First Amendment protections for creative professionals, potentially setting a significant precedent for similar cases.

IN FULL

After a four-year legal battle, the State of New York has agreed to pay Christian wedding photographer Emilee Carpenter $225,000 in legal fees and to stop enforcing laws that violate her First Amendment rights. The settlement allows Carpenter to decline photographing homosexual weddings without fear of state penalties.

The agreement, detailed in a consent decree between New York Attorney General Letitia James and Carpenter’s legal team at the Alliance Defending Freedom (ADF), follows a ruling in May by U.S. District Judge Frank Geraci, a Barack Obama appointee, who stated it was “beyond debate” that New York cannot use public accommodations laws to “compel speech.”

“New Yorkers can now enjoy the freedom to create and express themselves, a freedom that protects all Americans regardless of their views,” ADF senior counsel Bryan Neihart stated.

The case was returned to the lower court by the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals after the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Colorado’s public accommodations law in the high-profile 303 Creative case, where graphic designer Lorie Smith won the right to refuse homosexual wedding clients. Colorado eventually agreed to pay Smith $1.5 million in legal expenses.

Judge Geraci issued a “narrow” preliminary injunction preventing New York from “peculiarly” targeting Carpenter. Under the consent decree, James’ office committed to refraining from applying New York’s public accommodations, discrimination, and publication laws in ways that would force Carpenter and her company to provide the same wedding and engagement photography services to homosexual couples as they do to heterosexual couples.

The agreement also affirms Carpenter’s right to “adopt their desired Beliefs and Practices policy,” to post and promote that policy publicly, and to ask potential clients “questions sufficient to determine” if they are requesting services for a homosexual wedding.

Image by Matt Cohen.

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By Popular Demand.
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7 minutes ago
Christopher Tomlinson
War
World

France to Recognize State of ‘Palestine.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: French President Emmanuel Macron has declared that he will recognize Palestinian statehood.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Emmanuel Macron, Israel, Palestinians, Hamas.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Macron made the announcement in July on X (formerly Twitter), with a formal announcement to be made in September at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA).

💬KEY QUOTE: “There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It is also necessary to ensure the demilitarization of Hamas, secure and rebuild Gaza.” — Emmanuel Macron.

🎯IMPACT: The announcement is a major policy shift from the Western European country with the largest Jewish and Muslim populations.

IN FULL

French President Emmanuel Macron announced that his country will recognize “Palestine” as a state, formalizing this recognition at a September United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) meeting. Writing on X (formerly Twitter), Macron said, “The urgent thing today is that the war in Gaza stops and the civilian population is saved.”

“There must be an immediate ceasefire, the release of all hostages, and massive humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza. It is also necessary to ensure the demilitarization of Hamas [to] secure and rebuild Gaza. Finally, it is essential to build the State of Palestine, ensure its viability, and enable it, by accepting its demilitarization and fully recognizing Israel, to contribute to the security of all in the Middle East,” he added. 

Macron has supported Israel’s right to defend itself since the October 7, 2023, Hamas terrorist attacks on the Jewish State, and has frequently condemned anti-Semitism—a significant problem in France, due to its large Muslim population. However, he has also expressed frustration regarding Israel’s conduct in the ongoing conflict in Gaza.

More than 140 countries, over a dozen in Europe, already recognize Palestinian statehood. France’s decision carries particular weight as it has both the largest Jewish and Muslim populations in Western Europe, meaning conflicts in the Middle East often lead to protests and tensions at home. Additionally, it is a leading NATO and European Union (EU) member and a nuclear power.

Last month, Macron reaffirmed his “determination to recognize the State of Palestine” and called for “a broader movement toward a two-state solution,” while acknowledging the importance of recognizing Israel and its right to security.

France’s move follows the U.S. exiting ceasefire talks in Qatar, accusing Hamas of acting in bad faith.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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37 minutes ago
Lauren Gallagher
News
TECH

WATCH: Vance Blasts Big Tech for Replacing American Workers With Migrants.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Vice President J.D. Vance publicly criticized Microsoft and other Big Tech companies for laying off thousands of American workers while continuing to apply for H-1B visas to hire foreigners.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Vice President Vance, American tech companies, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States, July 24, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We want the very best and the brightest to make America their home. We want them to build great companies and so forth. But I don’t want companies to fire 9,000 American workers and then to go and say, ‘We can’t find workers here in America.’ That’s a bulls**t story.” — J.D. Vance

🎯IMPACT: Vance’s comments amplify criticism of Big Tech for prioritizing foreign hires while laying off U.S. workers.

IN FULL

Vice President J.D. Vance criticized Big Tech companies for taking advantage of the H1-B visa program by firing American workers and hiring a multitude of H1-B visa holders from other countries. “You see some big tech companies where they’ll lay off 9,000 workers, and then they’ll apply for a bunch of overseas visas. And I sort of wonder; that doesn’t totally make sense to me,” Vance said at the Hill and Valley Forum.

“That displacement and that math worries me a bit. And what the President has said, he said very clearly: We want the very best and the brightest to make America their home. We want them to build great companies and so forth. But I don’t want companies to fire 9,000 American workers and then to go and say, ‘We can’t find workers here in America.’ That’s a bullsh*t story,” Vance added.

Microsoft said earlier in July that it would be laying off 9,000 workers. One of the hosts at the Hill and Valley Forum asked Vance directly, “What did Microsoft say when you brought that up with Microsoft?” Vance laughed and admitted that it was Microsoft that he had been referring to, noting that despite laying off 9,000 workers, the company is “saying they’re desperate for workers.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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1 hour ago
Crime
Immigration

Suspect Who Threw Cement Blocks at Feds in Anti-ICE Riot Caught at Border.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A man accused of throwing concrete blocks at law enforcement during immigration enforcement operations was arrested.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elpidio Reyna, 39, law enforcement officers, and U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Incident occurred on June 7 in Paramount, California; arrest took place at the San Ysidro port of entry on Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “To anyone who thinks they can attack federal officers and hide behind a mask or helmet, Reyna’s arrest today proves we can find and charge anyone who violates federal law.” – Bill Essayli

🎯IMPACT: Reyna faces up to eight years in federal prison if convicted, highlighting federal efforts to prosecute attacks against law enforcement.

IN FULL

Elpidio Reyna, accused of hurling concrete blocks at law enforcement during immigration enforcement actions in Paramount, California, has been apprehended at the U.S. southern border. Reyna’s alleged criminal acts took place on June 7, and he was arrested on Wednesday, July 23, at the U.S.-Mexico frontier, according to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Deputy Director Dan Bongino.

Bill Essayli, U.S. Attorney for the Central District of California, stated, “Elpidio Reyna surrendered today at the U.S.-Mexico border to face a felony charge of assault on a federal officer for throwing rocks at passing law enforcement vehicles in Paramount on June 7. He was taken into custody by a U.S. Border Patrol officer who was inside one of the vehicles damaged in the attack — a brave law enforcement officer who could have been killed in last month’s dangerous and reckless attack.”

“To anyone who thinks they can attack federal officers and hide behind a mask or helmet, Reyna’s arrest today proves we can find and charge anyone who violates federal law. Don’t touch our officers. Reyna will make his initial appearance in federal court this afternoon. He is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” Essayli added. 

Video evidence allegedly shows Reyna throwing concrete blocks at law enforcement vehicles on Alondra Boulevard in Paramount, injuring a federal officer and damaging government property. After his arrest at the San Ysidro port of entry, Reyna was transported to Los Angeles. A conviction could lead to a maximum of eight years in federal prison. 

In June, when Reyna was identified, Essayli announced, “WANTED: Elpidio Reyna can run, but he can’t hide. He threw rocks at federal officers leaving a command post in Paramount on Saturday, a brazen attack caught on film and that could have resulted in deaths.” 

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2 hours ago
William Upton
Economy
Politics

Trump Hits Powell Over Renovation Costs During Historic Fed Visit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump chastised Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in person over the nearly $1 billion in cost overruns for renovations and new office construction undertaken by the American central bank.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Powell, and the Federal Reserve.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Thursday, July 24, 2025, at the Federal Reserve in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “A lot of very expensive work, there’s no question about it,” Trump said, adding: “So we’re taking a look, and it looks like it is about $3.1 billion; it went up a little bit.”

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s visit is likely part of a broader campaign to pressure Powell and the Federal Reserve to cut interest, mirroring similar efforts by the late President Richard Nixon to push his Fed chairman, Arthur Burns, into lowering borrowing costs.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump chastised Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell in person over the nearly $1 billion in cost overruns for renovations and new office construction undertaken by the American central bank. On Thursday, July 24, 2025, Trump became only the fourth President in American history to visit the Federal Reserve, and the only President to enter the building for nonceremonial purposes. Previously, former Presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Gerald Ford, and George W. Bush each visited the Fed.

“Thank you very much, we’re looking at the construction, and we’re with the chairman, as you know,” President Trump said before waving Powell over to join him in front of the cameras: “Chairman, come on over.”

“And we’re just taking a look at what’s happening, and it’s a tough construction job; they’re building basements where they didn’t exist or expanding them. A lot of very expensive work, there’s no question about it,” Trump continued. “So we’re taking a look, and it looks like it is about $3.1 billion; it went up a little bit.”

A stunned Powell abruptly began shaking his head in disagreement, insisting the construction costs were not that high. President Trump proceeded to produce a report detailing the cost, which included a separate office space that the Federal Reserve did not pair with its renovation estimates.

For weeks, President Trump has increased pressure on the U.S. central bank to begin slashing interest rates as economic data has shown some concerning deflationary signals. Powell, however, has remained obstinate, maintaining rates at their current levels.

This has led to some speculation that Trump could move to fire Powell—with cause— by citing the renovation cost overruns, though the America First leader has insisted he does not intend to remove the Fed chairman before his term expires next year.

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2 hours ago
NatSec
News

China Exploits Microsoft Flaw to Hack US Nuclear Agency.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Chinese hackers affiliated with the government exploited vulnerabilities in Microsoft SharePoint software, breaching multiple U.S. agencies, including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hackers linked to Chinese groups Linen Typhoon, Violet Typhoon, and Storm-2603; U.S. agencies, including the Department of Energy and others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The breach began on July 18, 2025, impacting agencies in the U.S., Europe, and the Middle East.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The department was minimally impacted due to its widespread use of the Microsoft M365 cloud and very capable cybersecurity systems. A very small number of systems were impacted. All impacted systems are being restored.” – Department of Energy spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: The breach exploited cryptographic keys, enabling hackers to impersonate users or services. Microsoft has issued updates, but the full consequences remain unclear.

IN FULL

Chinese state-affiliated hackers have exploited a critical vulnerability in Microsoft SharePoint software to infiltrate several U.S. government agencies, including the National Nuclear Security Administration (NNSA), which is responsible for America’s nuclear weapons. According to multiple cybersecurity reports, the cyberattack began on July 18 and also affected organizations across Europe and the Middle East.

Microsoft has linked the attackers to groups it tracks as Linen Typhoon, Violet Typhoon, and Storm-2603. These groups reportedly took advantage of a zero-day flaw in SharePoint to gain unauthorized access, enabling them to steal cryptographic keys. This theft may have allowed them to impersonate legitimate users or services within affected systems. Microsoft has since issued security patches to mitigate the vulnerability and is urging all users to update their systems.

The U.S. Department of Energy confirmed that it experienced a disruption. A spokesman stated, “The department was minimally impacted due to its widespread use of the Microsoft M365 cloud and very capable cybersecurity systems. A very small number of systems were impacted. All impacted systems are being restored.”

Cybersecurity firm Eye Security revealed that the breach extended beyond the U.S., compromising around 400 entities worldwide. Among the impacted were the U.S. Education Department, the Florida Department of Revenue, and the Rhode Island General Assembly.

Security experts have described the threat as particularly severe. Carlos Perez, director of security intelligence at TrustedSec, emphasized the danger of the exploited vulnerability, calling it “critical” and warning that it was “already being actively exploited at scale.” According to Perez, the flaw allowed attackers to execute remote code on SharePoint servers, posing a serious threat to enterprise-level infrastructure.

Microsoft continues to stress the importance of immediate action. The company said the newly released updates are essential to prevent further exploitation and secure compromised systems.

Image by Acroterion.

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3 hours ago
Lauren Gallagher
Corruption
News

Zelensky Backtracks After Gutting Anti-Corruption Bodies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ukrainian President Zelensky signed a bill putting Ukraine’s top anti-corruption agencies under the control of his prosecutor general, destroying their independence and sparking national protests and international backlash. He has now signed a new draft law to restore the independence of anti-corruption bodies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen, Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABUI), and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ukraine, July 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are working [with the Ukrainian government] to make sure that our concerns… are indeed taken into account.” – Ursula von der Leyen

🎯IMPACT: The initial law weakened the independence of Ukraine’s anti-corruption institutions, raising fears that Zelensky is not serious about reforming the country at best, and attempting to actively cover up his government’s misdeeds at worst. Zelensky’s justification, that the law protected against Russian influence, was criticized as contradictory and self-defeating.

IN FULL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has approved a draft bill guaranteeing the freedom of the two anti-corruption bodies in Ukraine, just days after nationwide protests against another law that put them under the control of his prosecutor general.

On Thursday, Zelensky said the draft bill is intended to safeguard the independence of Ukraine’s National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU) and Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAP). He justified his previous decision to restrict the bodies’ powers on dubious claims of Russia’s influence. Ukraine’s security services had carried out searches and arrests, targeting supposed Russian spies at the agency.

After the legislation undermining the anti-corruption agencies was passed, protests broke out in Ukraine, said to be the largest since the start of Russia’s full-scale invasion in February 2022. There was also international outcry, with many of Zelensky’s sponsors in the West concerned about backsliding on reform in a country where graft and corruption have long been rife.

A spokesman for European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen warned Kiev that the rule of law and the fight against corruption were “core elements” of membership of the European Union (EU), which remains a key aspiration for Ukraine. Following Zelensky’s apparent backtracking, the Commission said it “welcomed” the move.

Zelensky did not acknowledge the protests or the backlash in a Thursday social media post announcing the new draft bill, but said it was “important that we are maintaining unity” and “important that we respect the position of all Ukrainians and are grateful to everyone who stands with Ukraine.”

Image: European Union 2023– Source: EP.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
Immigration

Arrests of Criminal Illegals Are Up by Triple Digits.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Arrests of criminal illegals have increased by triple digits in many states under President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), illegal aliens.

📍WHEN & WHERE: A spokesman for the White House spoke to the media this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “American communities will be safer with these dangerous criminal illegal aliens gone. Promises made. Promises kept.” — White House spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: The surge of arrests shows President Trump’s administration is fulfilling promises to crack down on criminal illegals and deport them from the United States.

IN FULL

The number of arrests of criminal illegal aliens has surged under the administration of President Donald J. Trump. States have seen triple-digit increases in arrests, with Virginia seeing a 470 percent increase and Maryland reporting a 290 percent increase.

“President Trump is keeping his promise to the American people to carry out the largest mass deportation operation in history!” a White House spokesman said, adding: “American communities will be safer with these dangerous criminal illegal aliens gone. Promises made. Promises kept.”

Immigration enforcement actions by the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement Agency (ICE) in Michigan have surged 145 percent. Meanwhile, Colorado and Wyoming have experienced arrest rates nearly five times higher than those recorded during the same timeframe under former President Joe Biden.

Across a group of eight western states—including Utah, Idaho, Nevada, Montana, Arizona, Colorado, Wyoming, and California—monthly arrests of illegal immigrants have nearly tripled since January.

In Chicago, ICE reports that the number of illegal immigrants with criminal convictions apprehended during the first 150 days of the Trump administration was three times higher than during the final 150 days of Biden’s presidency. The San Diego area has seen a particularly sharp rise, with immigration arrests climbing 400 percent compared to this period last year.

At the same time, ICE personnel have faced a dramatic rise in assaults, an 830 percent increase over 2024 figures, according to Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons.

“I think the sharp increase in the rhetoric, especially from a lot of elected officials, that are shaming, if you will, or speaking out against [the] ICE law enforcement mission, is what’s really increasing these attacks on officers,” Lyons said.

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4 hours ago
War

U.S. and Israel Leave Gaza Ceasefire Talks, Blame Hamas.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The United States and Israel withdrew their negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks, blaming Hamas for the failure to reach an agreement.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Hamas representatives.

📍WHEN & WHERE: July 24, 2025, in Doha, Qatar.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If Hamas interprets our willingness to reach a deal as a weakness… it is gravely mistaken.” – Benjamin Netanyahu

🎯IMPACT: The breakdown of talks leaves no end in sight to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.

IN FULL

The United States and Israel have withdrawn their negotiators from Gaza ceasefire talks, with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff accusing Hamas of failing to act in good faith. The talks, held in Doha, Qatar, aimed at ending nearly two years of fighting, have not reached a breakthrough.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed his government’s commitment to seeking a ceasefire but criticized Hamas for blocking efforts to end the conflict. He stated, “If Hamas interprets our willingness to reach a deal as a weakness… it is gravely mistaken.”

Mediators have been working for over two weeks to facilitate discussions between the Israeli and Hamas delegations, but the talks have not yielded results. The humanitarian situation in Gaza remains dire, with warnings of “mass starvation” spreading among the population.

Hamas’s response to the latest ceasefire proposal included amendments concerning aid entry, withdrawal maps, and guarantees for a permanent end to hostilities. Witkoff indicated that the U.S. would consider alternative options to stabilize the region and secure the release of hostages.

International attention is focused on the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Israel maintains that it is not responsible for the crisis, attributing the situation to Hamas’s actions in attacking Israel on October 7, 2023.

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5 hours ago
Politics
TECH

Trump Blocks Feds from Using Woke AI.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order mandating that artificial intelligence (AI) models procured by the federal government prioritize truthfulness and ideological neutrality.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, federal agencies, and AI developers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Executive Order was signed Wednesday, July 23, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We will terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire federal government.” – Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Order should ensure AI models used by the federal government adhere to principles of truthfulness and neutrality, avoiding ideological bias.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order late Wednesday mandating that artificial intelligence (AI) models used by the federal government prioritize truthfulness and ideological neutrality. The Order outlines “Unbiased AI Principles,” which include truth-seeking and ideological neutrality as core tenets.

According to the presidential directive, truth-seeking AI models are required to prioritize historical accuracy, scientific inquiry, and objectivity, acknowledging uncertainty when information is incomplete or contradictory. Ideological neutrality mandates that AI models remain nonpartisan, avoiding manipulation of responses to favor ideologies like diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The Order directs federal agencies to procure only AI models compliant with these principles. It also requires contracts with AI vendors to include accountability measures, such as cost coverage if noncompliance leads to contract termination. The Director of the Office of Management and Budget will issue guidance to enforce these directives.

President Trump emphasized the importance of trustworthy AI, citing examples of biased outputs from existing models. These include AI systems altering historical representations for DEI purposes and prioritizing ideological compliance over factual accuracy. Such practices, the Trump White House argues, erode public trust in AI systems.

The Executive Order is part of a broader effort by President Trump to eliminate DEI-driven policies across the federal government. In recent months, he has signed multiple actions to dismantle DEI programs in federal agencies, defense, and education, ensuring that government initiatives prioritize fairness and merit. “We will terminate every diversity, equity, and inclusion program across the entire federal government,” President Trump pledged earlier this year.

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5 hours ago
Economy
World

After 20 Years, Australia Reverses American Beef Ban.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Australia announced the lifting of restrictions on U.S. beef imports after two decades.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins, and President Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made Thursday, July 24, 2025, in Australia; restrictions have been in place for 20 years.

💬KEY QUOTE: “American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, healthiest beef in the world. It’s absurd that non-scientific trade barriers prevented our beef from being sold to consumers in Australia for the last 20 years.” – U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke L. Rollins.

🎯IMPACT: U.S. beef producers gain greater access to the Australian market, marking a significant trade breakthrough.

IN FULL

In a major shift, Australia’s left-wing Labor government, led by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, has announced the lifting of restrictions on American beef imports. This decision follows two decades of trade barriers that kept American farmers out of the Australian market.

Julie Collins, Australia’s Agricultural Minister, stated that the restrictions were originally implemented to prevent the spread of mad cow disease and that lifting them would lead to a more open and competitive marketplace in Australia. “Australia stands for open and free trade—our cattle industry has significantly benefited from this,” Collins said in a statement.

Meanwhile, U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins praised the announcement as a “major trade breakthrough,” crediting President Donald J. Trump’s efforts to ensure fair and free trade with America’s trade partners. Rollins stated, “American farmers and ranchers produce the safest, healthiest beef in the world. It’s absurd that non-scientific trade barriers prevented our beef from being sold to consumers in Australia for the last 20 years.”

President Trump had previously criticized Australia’s restrictions, announcing tariffs on Australian imports earlier this year. He stated, “Australia bans—and they’re wonderful people, and wonderful everything—but they ban American beef. Yet we imported $3 billion of Australian beef from them just last year alone.”

Canberra has not yet set a date for the full lifting of restrictions.

Image by Ken Slade.

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