GET THE APP
Tuesday, August 12, 2025

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

1 hour ago
Culture
News

Trump Pledges Renovations to Bring Kennedy Center Back to ‘Absolute TOP LEVEL of Luxury.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump hinted at potential renovations to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, aiming to restore it to “the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, President and Executive Director of the Kennedy Center Richard “Ric” Grenell, and lawmakers proposing legislation regarding the center.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the announcement on Tuesday via Truth Social, with further updates expected Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Kennedy Center may see significant renovations and programming changes, with legislative proposals also suggesting renaming parts of the center.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump suggested upgrades to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, expanding on his initiatives to revitalize the White House and other federal properties.

“GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,” he posted on his Truth Social platform. “They will be announced Wednesday. Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment. It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!

Previously, Trump replaced the center’s board members, personally assuming the role of chairman and appointing Richard “Ric” Grenell, former acting Director of National Intelligence, as president and executive director, to revise its “woke” programming. This earned backlash from some liberal performers, with Broadway star Patti LuPone going so far as to say the center “should be blown up”—but it is already exceeding its revenue goals under Trump’s chairmanship.

Trump’s ambition to overhaul the Kennedy Center aligns with his plans to personally finance a new ballroom at the White House.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad
More From The Pulse

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

26 minutes ago
NatSec
Politics

Whistleblower: Schiff Leaked Classified Info in Anti-Trump Russia Hoax Effort.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Newly declassified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documents reveal whistleblower allegations that Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) directed the leaking of classified documents to target President Donald J. Trump and influence public opinion by perpetuating the Russia collusion hoax.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Adam Schiff, President Donald Trump, whistleblowers, and members of the House Intelligence Committee, including Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The allegations stem from events beginning after Trump’s 2016 election victory, with interviews conducted by the FBI in 2017 and documents declassified in August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP,” the FBI memo said.

🎯IMPACT: The allegations raise questions about the weaponization of intelligence and law enforcement for political purposes, with Congress now reviewing the declassified documents.

IN FULL

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), while serving in the House of Representatives in 2016, directed the leaking of classified documents aimed at fomenting the Russia collusion hoax targeting President Donald J. Trump, according to whistleblower claims in newly declassified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documents. Currently being reviewed by Congress, the documents contain testimony from a whistleblower who worked for the Democrat members of the House Intelligence Committee. The whistleblower told the FBI that Schiff initiated the leaking of classified documents in a meeting after Trump’s election in 2016.

The whistleblower claims Schiff’s intention was to use selective leaks of classified documents to drive the Russia collusion narrative and hurt Trump. “In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP,” the FBI memo said. “[Redacted] stated this would be illegal and, upon hearing his concerns, unnamed members of the meeting reassured [Redacted] that they would not be caught leaking classified information.”

The whistleblower believed that this leaking would be “unethical,” “illegal,” and “treasonous.” The whistleblower was later “approached about leaking classified information in a separate meeting by unnamed individuals,” the FBI memo states.

The interview documents were declassified by FBI Director Kash Patel. “We found it. We declassified it,” Patel posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “Now Congress can see how classified info was leaked to shape political narratives—and decide if our institutions were weaponized against the American people.”

Concerningly, the whistleblower told the FBI that Democrats on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence believed that they could end the Trump presidency with selective classified document leaks to the media. “Schiff believed Russia hijacked the election, and the United States was in the middle of a constitutional crisis. Classified information began leaking to the media. The Democratic minority leadership of HPSCI was aware of the leaks but was under the impression that leaking the information was one way to topple the administration and fix the constitutional crisis,” the whistleblower stated.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

2 hours ago
Economy

July CPI Comes in at 2.7%, Beating Forecasts Again.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in July rose 2.7 percent on an annual basis, slightly below economists’ forecast of 2.8 percent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and economists polled by FactSet.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The CPI data for July 2025 was released on August 12, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: Economists are closely monitoring the effects of inflation and tariffs on consumer prices, with some categories like apparel and home furnishings seeing slight increases.

IN FULL

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2023 rose by 2.7 percent on an annual basis, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This figure came in slightly below the 2.8 percent increase forecasted by economists polled by FactSet. On a month-to-month basis, the CPI rose 0.2 percent, aligning with expectations.

Core inflation, which excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, increased by 3.1 percent over the past year, slightly above the 3 percent prediction by economists. Food prices matched the overall inflation rate, rising 2.7 percent annually. Notable increases were seen in items such as eggs (up 16.4 percent), roasted coffee (up 14.8 percent), and ground beef (up 11.5 percent). Gasoline prices, however, dropped by 9.5 percent compared to July 2022.

Economists are also observing the effects of tariffs on consumer prices. Goods from over 60 countries, including the European Union (EU), are now subject to new reciprocal tariffs implemented on August 7, 2025. Categories such as apparel and home furnishings have already shown signs of slight price increases due to these levies.

The CPI, which tracks changes in prices for a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by consumers, remains a key measure of inflation. Notably, the inflation rate has remained at or below three percent for much of the year despite Wall Street fears that tariffs would cause runaway inflation.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

2 hours ago
Wake Up Right
Immigration

Trump Takes Back Border Wall Materials Biden Tried to Sell Off.

Miles of border wall materials bought in President Donald Trump’s first term—which the Biden regime tried to sell off—have been reclaimed by the Trump administration.

The backstory: In January 2021, Biden halted construction of the southern border wall which had begun under Trump. This left up to $350 million worth of steel panels and bollards stranded.

  • Beginning in June 2024, through December (after Trump won), Biden’s Department of Defense was selling off parts at dirt-cheap prices—including $1-per-panel deals—through an auction company called GovPlanet, which specializes in selling surplus government materials.

Trump reclaims the wall: After negotiations with Trump’s Office of the Border Czar, GovPlanet agreed to return them “at-cost” within the next 90 days.

  • GovPlanet says it agreed to these terms in order to “protect the millions of dollars U.S. taxpayers have already invested” in the border wall.

The numbers: Border crossings have plummeted since Trump returned to office. In July. Customs and Border Protection apprehended 6,177 illegals – an all-time low. None were allowed to enter the U.S.

What happens next? These materials will get put to good use. The recently passed Big, Beautiful Bill earmarked nearly $50 billion for the construction of the border wall.

Be sure to subscribe to the Wake Up Right newsletter! 

show less
Miles of border wall materials bought in President Donald Trump's first term—which the Biden regime tried to sell off—have been reclaimed by the Trump administration. show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

15 hours ago
Health
News

Rabies Scare Hits U.S. Vacation Hub, Hundreds at Risk.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Health officials are attempting to contact hundreds of visitors to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park after discovering a suspected bat colony in an attic above guest rooms at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Wyoming Department of Health, the National Park Service, Grand Teton Lodge Company, and federal health officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The potential exposure dates back to May 2025 at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

💬KEY QUOTE: “As a precaution, the affected rooms are closed while public health professionals conduct further assessments and provide recommendations for mitigation.” – National Park Service

🎯IMPACT: Over 200 guests may need rabies risk assessments, with state and federal health officials coordinating preventive treatment as needed.

IN FULL

Public health authorities are reaching out to guests who recently stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyoming‘s Grand Teton National Park after a suspected bat colony was discovered in the attic space above several guest rooms. Officials believe more than 200 individuals may have been exposed to bats that may be infected with the rabies virus since the lodge opened for the season in May 2025.

In a public statement, the National Park Service (NPS) noted: “[A]ffected rooms are closed while public health professionals conduct further assessments and provide recommendations for mitigation.”

The primary concern stems from the possibility of bat-related rabies exposure, which can occur through bites or scratches that are often so small they go unnoticed. According to Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming’s state health officer, “rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but can be prevented with timely post-exposure vaccines.” She emphasized that individuals who may not be aware of contact with bats, such as children or those in deep sleep, are particularly vulnerable.

The Wyoming Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are overseeing the investigation and are coordinating with local health officials to identify and assist affected guests. “State public health officials are reaching out to these guests directly to assess if they had exposure to a bat while staying in any of these rooms and determine if they meet the risk criteria for receiving rabies preventive treatment,” the NPS stated, adding: “Individuals who meet the risk criteria for a rabies exposure will be connected with the appropriate provider in their home state for preventive treatment.”

Image by chascar.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

16 hours ago
TECH
UK

Court Upholds Online Censorship Law Challenged by Wikipedia.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The High Court in England rejected the Wikimedia Foundation’s legal challenge against Britain’s so-called Online Safety Act.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Wikimedia Foundation, the High Court, British government regulator Ofcom, and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was delivered in England in August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This does not give Ofcom and the Secretary of State a green light to implement a regime that would significantly impede Wikipedia’s operations.” – Justice Jeremy Johnson

🎯IMPACT: The decision raises concerns about free speech restrictions, with U.S. lawmakers warning of international implications.

IN FULL

The High Court in England has delivered a significant win for the UK government’s controversial Online Safety Act by dismissing a legal challenge brought by the Wikimedia Foundation. The decision upholds a law enabling sweeping government censorship online, sparking fresh concerns over the state of free speech in the United Kingdom.

The Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, argued that the legislation’s expansive regulatory powers threaten the site’s open, collaborative model. The risk of being designated a “Category 1” service was particularly concerning, as this official classification would require the site to implement strict identity verification for all users who edit or contribute to content. Wikimedia warned such a move would severely undermine its volunteer-driven approach, discourage British contributors, and reduce public access to its information.

While dismissing the lawsuit, Justice Jeremy Johnson claimed that his ruling does not give regulators unchecked power. He noted that Wikimedia retains the right to challenge any future decision by Ofcom, the British media regulator, if it “concludes that Wikipedia is a Category 1 service” impermissibly.

Across the Atlantic, American lawmakers have criticized the Online Safety Act, expressing alarm that it may inspire other governments to adopt similar measures that threaten online freedoms. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said that the law poses potential security risks, warning, “The cybersecurity of Americans’ communications and digital lives must be defended against foreign threats,” and that Britain’s censorship laws could compel U.S. officials to use “weakened encryption and storage in the UK.”

Image by Bjørn Erik Pedersen.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

16 hours ago
Lauren Gallagher
Immigration
News
UK

The British Government Lost Over 150,000 Migrants.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The British government admitted losing track of over 150,000 migrants who entered on five-year social care visas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Britain’s governing Labour Party, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, Care Minister Stephen Kinnock, missing migrants, and the formerly governing Conservative (Tory) Party.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United Kingdom, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[I]t is not possible to estimate the number or proportion of individuals who entered the UK on a social care work visa and who are still in the UK or working in the social care sector,” claimed Stephen Kinnock.

🎯IMPACT: The fiasco highlights the British government’s inability to monitor visa holders’ long-term residence or employment.

IN FULL

The British government has admitted that it has lost over 150,000 migrants who entered the United Kingdom on social care visas. Officials cannot confirm whether they remain employed in the care sector or even if they are still in the country.

Many of these migrants arrived during the “Boriswave,” when former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and his successor Rishi Sunak loosened already weak immigration controls after the Wuhan virus pandemic and greatly increased the annual influx of legal migrants.

Johnson’s 2022 reforms added social care staff, mostly intended to work in nursing homes, to a hugely expanded “skilled worker” route, leading to 154,402 five-year visas being issued. Current Care Minister Stephen Kinnock, of Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s Labour Party, told Parliament his department “does not hold data that directly links visa status to ongoing employment in adult social care or residence in the United Kingdom over time.”

Kinnock claimed that “it is not possible to estimate the number or proportion of individuals who entered the UK on a social care work visa and who are still in the UK or working in the social care sector.”

The Labour-controlled Home Office, roughly equivalent to the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), blamed the previous Conservative government for the fiasco, claiming Labour “inherited a data system which was not designed to monitor the long-term outcomes of health and care visa holders—including whether they remain in Britain or continue working in the social care sector.”

Public anger over mass migration and border control failures has sparked protests in Britain. Critics accuse both major parties of negligence, with voters turning to Nigel Farage’s Reform Party in growing numbers.

Picture by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

17 hours ago
Crime
Politics

House Democrat Promises to Block Trump’s War on D.C. Crime.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Democrat Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin plans to introduce a resolution to terminate President Donald J. Trump’s emergency powers over the Washington, D.C., police force.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), President Trump, House Democrats, D.C. Police Union, and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The resolution is expected to be introduced as early as Wednesday, with the House resuming legislative work in September.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is Liberation Day in D.C. and we’re gonna take our capital back,” President Trump stated during a White House briefing.

🎯IMPACT: The resolution faces near-certain failure in the Republican-controlled House but could create political challenges for moderate Democrats.

IN FULL

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) is preparing to introduce a resolution to terminate President Donald J. Trump’s emergency powers over the Washington, D.C., police force. The powers invoked Monday morning, granted under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, allow the President to assume control of the district’s law enforcement during emergencies.

Raskin, a vocal critic of Trump, told the media, “Of course, the President has a major political bone to pick with the people of Washington, D.C., who have voted 10-to-1 against him at every opportunity. So this is one more chance to exact revenge.”

President Trump invoked the Home Rule Act on Monday, citing “special conditions of an emergency nature.” The act permits federal control of D.C. police for 48 hours, extendable to 30 days with congressional notification. White House staff secretary Will Scharf confirmed that required notifications have been sent to relevant congressional committees.

Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), criticized the move. Jeffries claimed, “Violent crime in Washington, D.C. is at a 30-year low. Donald Trump has no basis to take over the local police department, and zero credibility on the issue of law and order.”

Meanwhile, D.C. Police Union President Gregg Pemberton supported Trump’s decision, stating, “Crime is out of control, and our officers are stretched beyond their limits.” Notably, a police commander in D.C. is currently under investigation for doctoring crime data to fake reductions.

Raskin’s resolution is unlikely to pass in the Republican-majority House.

Image by G. Edward Johnson.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

18 hours ago
News
War

Russia Breaks Through on Battlefield Ahead of Trump-Putin Alaska Summit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russian forces have achieved a significant breakthrough in eastern Ukraine, advancing past Ukrainian defensive lines near the frontline city of Pokrovsk.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russian forces, Ukrainian forces, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald J. Trump are set to meet in Alaska soon.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The breakthrough occurred north of Pokrovsk, near Dobropillia, in the Donetsk region of Ukraine.

🎯IMPACT: The advance risks isolating Ukrainian forces and could have significant implications for the ongoing conflict and the upcoming Alaska summit.

IN FULL

Russian forces have achieved a significant breakthrough in eastern Ukraine, just days before a planned Alaskan summit between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald J. Trump. The advance took place in a critical area along the front line, north of the embattled city of Pokrovsk.

According to reports, Russian direct reconnaissance groups (DRGs) penetrated Ukrainian defensive positions east of Dobropillia, a vital logistics hub supplying the Ukrainian front. Deepstate Maps, an online real-time battlefield map aligned with the Ukrainian government, and several independent war mappers have confirmed the offensive. Russian troops are believed to have advanced as far as eight miles, one of the largest single-day advances in recent years.

As of the time of publication, there is no confirmation as to whether Russian troops have severed the strategically vital highway between Dobropillia and the fortress city of Kramatorsk, a key supply route for the Ukrainian military. The situation on the ground could change, with the potential for a broader Russian push that could see Ukrainian forces trapped in an encirclement across much of the Donbass front.

Many war mappers believe that Pokvosk, a vital logistics hub for the entire Donetsk front, is either already encircled or close to becoming encircled, with few major arteries in and out of the city either not directly under Russian control or within range of Russian bombardment. Notably, the coking coal mine that fueled much of Ukraine’s steel industry is also located at Pokrovsk, so its loss would also deal a major long-term blow to the Ukrainian economy.

These developments come ahead of a planned summit between U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin in Alaska. The two are expected to discuss possible ceasefire terms, including, according to President Trump, “some swapping, changes in land” between Ukraine and Russia.

Image by Dsns.gov.ua.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

18 hours ago
Crime
News

Judge Blocks Release of Epstein Grand Jury Documents.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge denied a Department of Justice (DOJ) motion to unseal grand jury materials related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking cases.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and the DOJ.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued in federal court in August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The materials do not identify any person other than Epstein and Maxwell as having had sexual contact with a minor,” wrote Judge Engelmayer.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling maintains the confidentiality of grand jury materials while leaving questions about Epstein’s associates unanswered.

IN FULL

A federal judge has rejected a Department of Justice (DOJ) request to unseal grand jury materials in the sex trafficking cases involving deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his right-hand woman, Ghislaine Maxwell. The decision by U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer found that the documents lacked significant undisclosed information about the crimes or the investigations.

Judge Engelmayer noted that the grand juries convened in these cases were not used for investigative purposes and did not hear testimony from victims, eyewitnesses, or suspects. Instead, their function was limited to returning indictments based on evidence presented by law enforcement witnesses over the course of a single day.

“The materials do not identify any person other than Epstein and Maxwell as having had sexual contact with a minor,” Engelmayer wrote. He added that the evidence presented to the grand juries is already largely a matter of public record, with only minor exceptions. The judge also ruled against unsealing additional exhibits that federal prosecutors had hoped to release, citing the lack of new information they would provide.

Prosecutors had argued for unsealing the materials due to public interest and had sought time to notify individuals whose names might be revealed. However, Judge Engelmayer emphasized that the materials would not shed any new light on key questions, including the origins of Epstein’s wealth, the circumstances of his death, or the government’s investigations into his activities.

Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of aiding Epstein in trafficking underage girls, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. She is appealing her conviction and has recently expressed willingness to participate in interviews with Congress and the DOJ in exchange for a pardon.

Epstein died in a federal jail cell in 2019 in unusual circumstances, in what was officially ruled a suicide. However, this is contested by his brother and many members of the public.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

19 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to Life for Rape, Murder of Rachel Morin.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Illegal migrant Victor Martinez-Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of Rachel Morin.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Victor Martinez-Hernandez, Rachel Morin, Harford County State Attorney Alison Healey, and Rachel Morin’s family members.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crime occurred in August 2023 on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. Sentencing took place on August 11, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You are not a candidate for rehabilitation. There is simply no hope to rehabilitate you.” – Judge during sentencing.

🎯IMPACT: The case underscores the impact of illegal immigration and poor border security on public safety.

IN FULL

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five. The crime occurred in August 2023 on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. Martinez-Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, and kidnapping earlier this year.

During the sentencing hearing, Harford County State Attorney Alison Healey described Martinez-Hernandez as “completely and entirely unamenable to treatment or rehabilitation” while seeking the maximum sentence. The judge concurred, stating, “You are not a candidate for rehabilitation. There is simply no hope to rehabilitate you. You took a life that was not yours to take.”

Rachel Morin’s body was discovered in a tunnel drain along the hiking trail, with an autopsy revealing she died from strangulation and blunt-force trauma. Police reported that Martinez-Hernandez had been living illegally in the United States since February 2023, just months before the attack. He had also been linked to a previous murder in El Salvador through an INTERPOL warrant.

The case has sparked renewed criticism of U.S. immigration policies under former President Joe Biden. Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler stated, “The failure here, again, is the immigration system that allowed this person to enter our country illegally and remain in our country and commit crimes.”

Rachel’s mother, Patty Morin, has met with President Donald J. Trump and testified before Congress, emphasizing that her daughter’s death could have been prevented with proper border protocols and a simple DNA swab.

President Trump also weighed in during the murder trial, calling Martinez-Hernandez “an MS-13 Gang Member and Foreign Terrorist from El Salvador” and criticizing the former Biden-Harris government’s immigration policies. Trump pledged, “We will never forget Rachel Morin and are committed to protecting women like her across our Country.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad