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12 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Migrant Faces Hundreds of Charges for Murder, Attempted Murder After Christmas Market Attack.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A migrant man has been charged with murder and attempted murder following a deadly car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, which left six people dead and many others injured.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The suspect, a 50-year-old Saudi doctor referred to as Taleb A., and the victims, including a nine-year-old boy and five women aged 45 to 75.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred on December 20, 2024, at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany.

💬KEY QUOTE: Prosecutors allege the suspect acted “out of dissatisfaction and frustration with the course and outcome of a civil law dispute and the failure of various criminal complaints.”

🎯IMPACT: The attack has left a community grieving, with six lives lost and hundreds of others impacted by non-fatal injuries.

IN FULL

A Saudi migrant has been formally charged with murder and hundreds of counts of attempted murder for a deadly car attack at a Christmas market in Magdeburg, Germany, on December 20, 2024. The suspect, identified only as Taleb A. due to German privacy laws, allegedly drove a rented BMW into a crowded area, killing six people and injuring dozens more.

Among the victims were a nine-year-old boy and five women aged between 45 and 75. Prosecutors accuse Taleb A. of deliberately aiming to kill as many people as possible, describing the act as premeditated. He faces charges for six counts of murder, 338 counts of attempted murder, 309 counts of bodily harm, and a motoring offense.

Authorities say the suspect was not under the influence of alcohol and acted alone. The suspect has lived in Germany since 2006 and holds permanent residency. Although it is said that he does not fit the profile of an Islamist extremist, prosecutors say he was flagged in the past by Saudi authorities. The court in Magdeburg is now considering whether the case will proceed to trial. If convicted, he faces a life sentence.

The attack has shaken the community and renewed concerns about public safety at Christmas markets across Germany. In December 2016, for instance, an Islamist terrorist drove a stolen truck into a Christmas market in Berlin, killing 12 people. The attacker, Tunisian asylum seeker Anis Amri, was linked to the Islamic State, and later shot dead by police in Italy. The Berlin attack exposed serious failings in German counterterrorism oversight and immigration enforcement.

More recently, German authorities have foiled several Christmas market plots. Just weeks before the Magdeburg tragedy, police in Augsburg uncovered a plot by a suspected Islamic State sympathizer who had scouted a market with plans to carry out a vehicle-ramming attack.

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By Popular Demand.
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11 hours ago
Health
News

Doctors Defy Trump Admin, Push New COVID Shot for Kids.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has recommended a new COVID-19 shot for children, diverging from federal government guidance for the first time in three decades.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The AAP, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and American children.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The AAP issued the guidelines two months after Secretary Kennedy overhauled the federal vaccine board.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them.” – AAP official Dr. James Campbell.

🎯IMPACT: The AAP’s decision has sparked debate over public health policies and vaccine guidelines.

IN FULL

For the first time in three decades, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has issued a recommendation that diverges from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), endorsing a new COVID-19 vaccine for young children.

Dr. James Campbell, vice chairman of the AAP’s infectious diseases committee, addressed the shift, noting, “It is going to be somewhat confusing. But our opinion is we need to make the right choices for children to protect them.” The AAP’s alternative guidance promotes vaccinating children between just six months and two years old.

This follows a significant shake-up two months ago by Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who restructured the federal vaccine advisory board. Kennedy, known for his vaccine skepticism, has taken a cautious approach toward recommending COVID vaccines for healthy children, instead encouraging parents to “consult with their doctors.”

Kennedy removed the COVID-19 vaccine recommendations for healthy children and pregnant women from the CDC immunization schedule earlier this year. “Bottom line: it’s common sense and it’s good science. We are now one step closer to realizing [President Trump’s] promise to Make America Healthy Again,” RFK Jr. said of the reforms.

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12 hours ago
Lauren Gallagher
Education
Immigration

Dem Governor Signs Bill Giving Financial Aid to Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: On Tuesday, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) signed a bill allowing student residents who are not eligible for federal financial aid to receive assistance from state and local governments in Illinois.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker; U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL); illegal immigrants and students in Illinois.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Illinois, August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Allowing taxpayer-funded financial aid for illegal aliens is a slap in the face to hardworking Illinois families and students.” – Mary Miller

🎯IMPACT: All students residing in Illinois are now eligible for financial aid benefits regardless of immigration status; noncompliant institutions may face public scrutiny and policy challenges.

IN FULL

Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), a possible contender for the Democratic presidential nomination in 2028, has signed a bill into law opening financial aid to all residents, regardless of immigration status. This legislation allows illegal immigrants residing in Illinois to receive monetary benefits for education, stating that “a student who is an Illinois resident and who is not otherwise eligible for federal financial aid, including, but not limited to, a transgender student who is disqualified for failure to register for selective service or a noncitizen student who has not obtained lawful permanent residence, shall be eligible for financial aid and benefits.”

State Senator Celina Villanueva (D), who supports the bill, claims it is “about making sure no student is left behind because of where they were born.” U.S. Representative Mary Miller (R-IL), who opposes the bill, argues that “Allowing taxpayer-funded financial aid for illegal aliens is a slap in the face to hardworking Illinois families and students,” adding: “Our state is drowning in debt, yet J.B. Pritzker is determined to drain even more taxpayer dollars to reward illegals, she added. ”

Under the law, all students residing in Illinois are eligible for financial aid programs funded or administered by the state, local governments, or public universities.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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13 hours ago
William Upton
Immigration

Trump Opens ANOTHER Deportation Facility, Dubbed the ‘Cornhusker Clink.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is set to open its fourth new illegal immigrant detention and deportation facility modeled on Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), illegal immigrants, and the Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The “Cornhusker Clink” was revealed on August 19, in McCook, Nebraska.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Any sanctuary Jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court.” — U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: The expansion of illegal immigrant detention capacity comes as President Donald J. Trump continues to push his administration to ramp up mass deportations.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is set to open its fourth new illegal immigrant detention and deportation facility modeled on Florida’s “Alligator Alcatraz,” repurposing the Department of Corrections Work Ethic Camp in McCook, Nebraska. Dubbed the “Cornhusker Clink,” the facility will be able to house 280 criminal illegal immigrants awaiting deportation and will be overseen by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

Aside from the Trump administration’s flagship “Alligator Alcatraz” facility located in the Florida Everglades, an additional three new facilities have been opened or announced in recent weeks—including the “Deportation Depot” located at the shuttered Baker Correctional Institution in Sanderson, Florida, and the “Speedway Slammer” utilizing part of the Miami Correctional Facility in Bunker Hill, Indiana.

The expansion of illegal immigrant detention capacity comes as President Donald J. Trump continues to push his administration to ramp up mass deportations and undo the four years of unchecked mass migration under former President Joe Biden. Late last week, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced that 32 letters had been sent out to sanctuary jurisdictions nationwide, giving them a week to comply with federal immigration laws or face action from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“Any sanctuary Jurisdiction that continues to put illegal aliens ahead of American citizens can either come to the table or see us in court,” she warned, adding: “Today, the Justice Department delivered demand letters to sanctuary cities, countries, and states—a key step in our strategic effort to eradicate sanctuary policies from California to New York.”

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By Popular Demand.
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13 hours ago
Economy
Politics

Bank Execs Reveal Pressure to ‘Debank’ Customers Under Biden, Obama Regimes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump signed an executive order outlawing debanking practices. Senior banking executives have since revealed that the Biden and Obama governments pressured them to debank customers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Banking executives, President Donald J. Trump, and former Presidents Obama and Biden.

📍WHEN & WHERE: From the Obama administration to the present day, in the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Those pressures were very, very real. When your regulator gives you a suggestion, it’s not a suggestion, it’s an order.” – Senior Banking Executive

🎯IMPACT: President Trump’s order aims to prevent banks from denying services based on political views, addressing concerns of political discrimination.

IN FULL

In the wake of President Donald J. Trump’s executive order banning “debanking,” top banking executives have alleged that both the Barack Obama and Joe Biden regimes pressured financial institutions to cut off services to individuals and industries based on political or ideological views.

“Debanking,” the practice of closing bank accounts or denying services, often without explanation, has drawn growing criticism from conservatives and religious groups in recent years. Although linked initially to anti–money laundering regulations, it is now being weaponized for political discrimination.

Two anonymous executives from major U.S. banks said regulators exploited vague federal laws to push banks to deny services. They pointed to programs like “Operation Choke Point,” launched under the Obama regime to target fraud-prone industries, as laying the groundwork. That pressure, they said, continued under Biden.

“Those pressures were very, very real. When your regulator gives you a suggestion, it’s not a suggestion, it’s an order. The political stuff is very real, those pressures are real,” one of the senior executives said.

President Trump has issued an executive order prohibiting banks from denying services based on political beliefs. The order directs federal agencies to investigate claims of politically motivated debanking.

JPMorgan Chase and other major financial institutions have updated internal policies, stating they do not close accounts based on political affiliation. Still, bank executives said that regulators continue pressuring them to flag “suspicious activities,” potentially resulting in indirect debanking.

Trump’s own businesses became the subject of a high-profile debanking case. In March 2025, the Trump Organization sued Capital One, alleging that over 300 business accounts were closed in 2021 due to “unsubstantiated, ‘woke’ beliefs.” The lawsuit alleged the bank believed “the political tide at the moment favored doing so.” Trump’s team said the closures caused “considerable financial harm.”

Debanking has also been used against populists internationally. In the United Kingdom, Reform Party leader Nigel Farage was debanked by Coutts, which claimed his views were “not compatible” with the bank’s values. After public backlash and an attempt to deceive the press about the reasons for the account closure, the bank apologized and paid Farage a settlement.

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14 hours ago
Immigration
NatSec

Trump Moves to Bar Immigrants Engaged in ‘Anti-Americanism.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) updated its guidance on discretionary factors in benefit requests, focusing on anti-American and anti-Semitic activity.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: USCIS and spokesman Matthew Tragesser.

📍WHEN & WHERE: August 19, 2025, USCIS Policy Manual update.

💬KEY QUOTE: “America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies.” – Matthew Tragesser

🎯IMPACT: Enhanced vetting on social media for anti-American activities, affecting benefit requests.

IN FULL

The U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has confirmed it will now place additional scrutiny on “certain benefit requests where an exercise of discretion is required,” including whether an applicant has “any involvement in anti-American or terrorist organizations.” The updated guidance also expands USCIS reviews to social media vetting for benefit requests, incorporating reviews for anti-American activities. According to the agency, such activities will be considered overwhelmingly negative in any discretionary analysis.

Matthew Tragesser, a spokesman for USCIS, stated, “America’s benefits should not be given to those who despise the country and promote anti-American ideologies. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services is committed to implementing policies and procedures that root out anti-Americanism and supporting the enforcement of rigorous screening and vetting measures to the fullest extent possible.”

“Immigration benefits—including to live and work in the United States—remain a privilege, not a right,” he added.

The guidance emphasizes that compliance with immigration laws is crucial in determining favorable discretion. It also updates the Policy Manual to provide additional guidance for cases involving support for terrorist organizations, anti-American ideologies, anti-Semitic terrorism, and related activities.

In addition, USCIS states that the new guidance will “clarify how an exercise of discretion is applied when adjudicating an EB-5 investor petition or application in cases involving threats to the national interest, fraud, deceit, misrepresentation, and criminal misuse.”

While U.S. immigration law already restricts certain benefits for foreign nationals with ties to certain political ideologies and terrorist groups, the new measures aim to increase the scrutiny of these associations.

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By Popular Demand.
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14 hours ago
Crime

DOJ Investigates Manipulation of Crime Stats by D.C. Police Leaders.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) is investigating whether the leadership of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) has manipulated crime data to make rates appear lower.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The investigation involves the U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, and focuses on Commander Michael Pulliam, among other officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The probe, revealed on Tuesday, August 19, follows the suspension of MPD Commander Pulliam earlier this year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “D.C. gave Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety. This is a very bad and dangerous thing to do, and they are under serious investigation for so doing!” — President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: The investigation raises broader questions about the reliability of crime statistics in Democrat-run jurisdictions.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a formal investigation into allegations that the leadership of the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) manipulated crime data to present a lower crime rate, according to two senior law enforcement officials. The investigation is being led by the U.S. Attorney for D.C., Jeanine Pirro, following the suspension of MPD Commander Michael Pulliam after he was accused by the D.C. Police Union of altering crime statistics earlier this year. Pulliam has denied the accusations.

President Donald J. Trump addressed the investigation on Truth Social, writing, “D.C. gave Fake Crime numbers in order to create a false illusion of safety. This is a very bad and dangerous thing to do, and they are under serious investigation for so doing!” He also touted his administration’s efforts to increase safety in the area through federal law enforcement and National Guard mobilization.

Mayor Muriel Bowser (D) has defended the city’s crime statistics, claiming violent crime has decreased by 26 percent compared to last year. However, Gregg Pemberton, head of the D.C. Police Union, expressed skepticism last week during a media interview. “I think there are some concerns about the accuracy of the numbers,” Pemberton said, suggesting there may be a pattern of manipulating data to downplay crime levels.

“What we know, what our members know, is that we go call to call to call out on the streets at night, going from robbery to carjacking to stabbing to shooting, and we just know that crime is ubiquitous, and it’s all in every quadrant of the city,” Pemberton stressed. He described recorded decreases in crime as “preposterous” and unreflective of the reality on the ground.

Image by Steve Fernie.

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15 hours ago
News

Trump Appointee Jeff Miller Is Lobbying for Universities Undermining Trump’s Agenda.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Jeff Miller, a strategist and lobbyist appointed to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum by President Donald J. Trump, was hired by Cornell and Northwestern University to negotiate settlements over their handling of anti-Semitism and pro-Hamas agitators.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jeff Miller, investigative reporter Laura Loomer, Cornell University, Northwestern University, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: These developments occurred in 2025, in tandem with Cornell and Northwestern’s negotiations with the Department of Justice (DOJ) over anti-Semitism and federal funding.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Perhaps President Trump should remove this lobbyist from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum.” – Laura Loomer

🎯IMPACT: Miller could undermine Trump’s efforts to hold universities accountable for anti-Semitism, raising questions about his appointment.

IN FULL

Jeff Miller, a strategist and lobbyist with significant ties to President Donald J. Trump, has been hired by Cornell University and Northwestern University. This comes as these institutions face penalties from the Trump administration over their handling of antisemitism and pro-Hamas activities on campus.

Despite being appointed by President Trump to the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum and serving on the board of the Republican Jewish Coalition (RJC), Miller is now representing these universities in their negotiations with the Department of Justice (DOJ). Investigative reporter Laura Loomer has described the move as “a striking display of hypocrisy and a desire to monetize access to Trump for the purpose of undermining Trump.”

The Trump administration has been stringent with universities like Cornell and Northwestern, freezing substantial federal funding, among other penalties, due to accusations of fostering hostile environments for Jewish students and discriminating against Asian and white applicants. The DOJ has demanded settlements, with Columbia University recently agreeing to an over $200 million payout. Cornell and Northwestern are in talks for similar agreements.

Miller’s firm, Miller Strategies, has seen rapid growth since Trump’s reelection, representing major companies and universities which often have anti-conservative stances. His involvement with Cornell and Northwestern, institutions that have publicly clashed with Trump, is seen as a betrayal of his role in Trump’s administration, as well as a betrayal of his Jewish advocacy—a point stressed by Loomer, who is also Jewish.

“What makes Miller’s involvement particularly contentious is his Jewish identity and his role on the board of the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, as well as his position on the national board of the Republican Jewish Coalition,” she wrote on X (formerly Twitter). “These affiliations position him as a prominent figure in Jewish advocacy, making his decision to represent universities accused of failing to protect Jewish students unforgivable.”

She added that Miller is “effectively aiding anti-Trump institutions that have been criticized for enabling antisemitic environments, which is antithetical to his public commitment to combating antisemitism and preserving Holocaust memory, which is what Trump appointed him to do.”

Loomer and others are calling on President Trump to reconsider Miller’s position at the Holocaust Memorial Museum, as his actions appear to contradict the administration’s goals of holding universities accountable for antisemitism.

Image by Claude-Étienne Armingaud.

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By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
Crime

MS-13 Gangster Caught in D.C. After Trump Takeover.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federalized law enforcement, under the direction of President Donald J. Trump, made 52 arrests in Washington, D.C.—including an MS-13 gang member with prior convictions—on Monday night as part of a broader crime crackdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Federal and local law enforcement, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and the Trump administration, with criticism from Democrat D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser and Attorney General Brian Schwalb.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C., on Monday night, August 18, 2025, as part of ongoing operations since August 7, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “At the direction of [President Trump], our nation’s capital is a SAFER place—and we are just getting started.” – U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: Over 450 arrests have been made since August 7, despite significant pushback from local Democratic leaders over federal involvement in D.C.’s policing.

IN FULL

Monday night saw a new round of arrests totalling 52 suspects by federal and local law enforcement in Washington, D.C., under the direction of President Donald J. Trump. Among those apprehended is an alleged member of the violent Mara Salvatrucha (MS-13) gang with prior convictions for driving while intoxicated and drug possession. Notably, MS-13 was declared a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) by President Trump in February.

“At the direction of [President Trump], our nation’s capital is a SAFER place—and we are just getting started. [Fifty-two] arrests were made last night, including an MS-13 gang member, and [nine] firearms were taken off the streets,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi announced in a post on X (formerly Twitter) on Monday. She added, “Since our mission began, there have been a total of 465 arrests, 68 guns seized, and charges for homicide, narcotics, and firearm offenses. Nearly half of these arrests occurred in the high-crime areas of D.C. Residents and tourists alike appreciate this extraordinary effort by our DC and Federal law enforcement partners.”

The White House reported that out of 212 non-immigration arrests, 101 occurred in Wards 7 and 8, areas known for higher crime rates. Federal authorities also cleared four homeless encampments on Monday.

Meanwhile, Washington D.C.’s Democrat mayor, Muriel Bowser, criticized the federalization of the city’s police force, calling it “an intrusion on our autonomy.” Speaking at a community town hall, she urged residents to resist what she described as an “authoritarian push” and to work towards electing a Democratic-controlled Congress to counter the Trump White House. D.C. Attorney General Brian Schwalb echoed her concerns, tweeting that the deployment of armed soldiers undermines public safety and democracy.

The Trump administration has defended its actions, with Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stating that ICE and U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) have been deployed to “clean up the streets of our nation’s capital.” She added, “Our message is clear: Criminal illegal aliens are not welcome in the United States.” Bondi also recently issued an order overriding D.C.’s sanctuary policies, ensuring compliance between local police and federal immigration authorities.

The D.C. Police Union also appears happy with the Trump takeover, noting that serious crimes such as carjacking are down by as much as 83 percent.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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16 hours ago
Health
News

Hegseth and RFK Jr. Kick Off ‘Pete and Bobby Challenge’ With Gym Showdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched the “Pete and Bobby Challenge” with a Pentagon gym showdown, promoting fitness through a timed pull-up and push-up challenge.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Pete Hegseth and Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Monday at the Pentagon Athletic Center.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s all about making America healthy again. We’re going to be fit, not fat.” – Pete Hegseth

🎯IMPACT: The challenge aims to inspire Americans to improve their physical fitness and foster a healthier, more capable nation.

IN FULL

On Monday, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. launched the “Pete and Bobby Challenge” with a fitness demonstration at the Pentagon Athletic Center. The challenge, requiring 100 push-ups and 50 pull-ups against the clock, was showcased in a promotional video featuring the two officials working out alongside military personnel.

Hegseth, aged 45, completed the challenge in 5:25, while Kennedy, 71, finished in 5:48. Both urged Americans to participate, with Kennedy saying, “Pete and I are going to do our part and encourage America’s youth to do this challenge… in any order you want in less than 10 minutes.”

Hegseth stated in the video, “It’s all about making America healthy again. We’re going to be fit, not fat,” emphasizing physical readiness for military recruits by stressing, “We want recruits that are ready to go.”

Hegseth has consistently advocated for high physical fitness standards in the military. In a March memo, he called for a review of current fitness requirements, stating, “We must remain vigilant in maintaining the standards that enable the men and women of our military to protect the American people and our homeland as the world’s most lethal and effective fighting force.”

In April, he called a study that found over two-thirds of National Guard and Reserve personnel are obese or overweight “completely unacceptable,” adding: “This is what happens when standards are IGNORED — and this is what we are changing. REAL fitness & weight standards are here.”

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17 hours ago
Immigration
NatSec

What Is the New World Screwworm, and Why Is the USDA Spending $750 Million to Stop It?

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. government plans to breed thousands of sterile flies in southern Texas to combat flesh-eating maggots threatening American cattle. Once contained well south of Panama, illegal immigration and cattle smuggling have seen the New World screwworm regain a foothold in Mexico and the southern United States.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, and Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R).

📍WHEN & WHERE: A $750 million factory will be built at Moore Air Force Base near Edinburg, Texas, with plans to release sterile flies within a year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Farm security is national security,” said USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins.

🎯IMPACT: The effort aims to protect livestock, secure the food supply, and bolster national security by preventing the spread of the New World screwworm. The parasitic, flesh-eating fly larva can decimate cattle populations and even burrow through human skin.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is set to construct a $750 million factory in southern Texas to breed thousands of sterile flies in an effort to combat the New World screwworm, a flesh-eating parasitic maggot that poses a serious threat to American cattle and, in some cases, humans as well. The factory will be located at Moore Air Force Base near Edinburg, Texas, approximately 20 miles north of the border. The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) announced plans to release the sterile flies into the wild within a year.

The New World screwworm, a parasitic larval phase of the New World screwworm fly—described by the USDA as a “devastating pest”—burrows into the eyes and flesh of living animals, causing severe and often fatal damage. The parasite can infest livestock, pets, wildlife, and occasionally humans, posing a significant threat to the ranching community, the national food supply, and national security overall. The pest was largely eradicated in the United States by the 1970s through similar sterile fly programs, and later sterilization efforts pushed the insects’ population below the isthmus of Panama.

However, recent outbreaks in Mexico have raised concerns. It is believed the parasitic maggots bypassed the sterile fly zone set up in Panama through the flow of illegal immigrants heading north from South America and through illegal cattle smuggling. The parasite has gained footholds in the Caribbean as well, with a significant outbreak in Honduras that has impacted the island’s human population. An outbreak of the screwworm in the Florida Keys in 2016, linked by some to illegal immigrant arrivals from Cuba, was swiftly eradicated.

U.S. Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins emphasized the importance of the initiative, stressing, “Farm security is national security.” Rollins outlined additional measures, including $100 million in funding for traps, lures, therapeutic treatments, and border patrols utilizing “tick riders” on horseback and dogs trained to detect the parasite. The USDA also confirmed that the border will remain closed to imports of cattle, horses, and bison from Mexico until the parasite is pushed back closer to Panama. Notably, the screwworm outbreak in Mexico has driven a spike in beef prices in the U.S.

Texas Governor Greg Abbott joined Rollins at a news conference in Austin, Texas, highlighting the urgency of the situation for border and livestock-producing states. The USDA noted that sterile flies remain the most effective method for controlling the spread of the pest, which has already caused significant damage to Mexico’s cattle industry. Mexico’s agriculture ministry has announced plans to take steps to address the issue.

Image by CSIRO.

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