Tuesday, October 7, 2025

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Suspects Who Ambushed and Rammed DHS Agents in Chicago RELEASED.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, the two suspects arrested for a violent vehicle ramming attack on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Chicago, Illinois, over the weekend, have been released from custody by a federal judge pending trial.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Marimar Martinez, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, a Chicago judge, and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred over the weekend, with the pre-trial hearing and release occurring late Monday.

💬KEY QUOTE: Martinez “took defensive fire from CBP agents and has been discharged from the hospital and is currently in the custody of the FBI,” DHS stated on Sunday, adding: “The driver of another vehicle, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, involved in the ramming has been apprehended by law enforcement.”

🎯IMPACT: Despite the gravity of the charges, Martinez’s possession of a firearm during the attack, and her history of harassment of federal officials, the judge released both defendants back into he community.

IN FULL

Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, the two suspects arrested for a violent vehicle ramming attack on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Chicago, Illinois, over the weekend, have been released from custody by a federal judge pending trial. According to DHS, Martinez—who was shot five times by agents responding to the vehicular attack—was armed with a semi-automatic weapon and had previously doxxed federal agents.

The judge presiding over the case—during a pre-trial detention hearing—claimed that neither Martinez nor Ruiz posed a flight risk, ordering the two dangerous assailants to be freed until their trial date. While Martinez and Ruiz, along with their families, insist they do not know each other, the two executed what DHS describes as an “ambush” attack on agents in a government vehicle. Both were subsequently arrested.

Prosecutors described the duo’s actions as “extremely dangerous and extremely reckless,” adding that “the defendants weren’t in the wrong place at the wrong time.”

Martinez “took defensive fire from CBP agents and has been discharged from the hospital and is currently in the custody of the FBI,” DHS stated on Sunday, adding: “The driver of another vehicle, Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, involved in the ramming has been apprehended by law enforcement.”

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel later announced that Martinez and Ruiz “have been charged for assaulting federal officers with a deadly or dangerous weapon.” However, despite the gravity of the charges, Martinez’s possession of a firearm during the attack, and her history of harassment of federal officials, the judge released both defendants back into he community.

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Drag Queen Charged Over ‘Sexual Misconduct’ with 13-Year-Old Boy.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A drag queen was removed from the Phoenix Pride Festival lineup after being charged with sexual misconduct involving a 13-year-old boy.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Michael Browder, also known as Aubrey Ghalichi, and a 13-year-old boy.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The charges stem from an investigation that began in June, with Browder’s arrest occurring in September. The incident relates to events in Phoenix, Arizona.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The crime alleged is one that we find reprehensible and entirely contrary to what Phoenix Pride stands for.” – Phoenix Pride statement.

🎯IMPACT: Browder was removed from the event lineup, and Phoenix Pride emphasized their commitment to a safe environment while noting he has not been convicted.

IN FULL

Michael Browder, a Phoenix-based drag queen who goes by the stage name Aubrey Ghalichi, has been removed from the upcoming Phoenix Pride Festival after being charged with two counts of sexual misconduct involving a minor. According to court documents, the charges follow a months-long investigation that began in June.

Investigators allege that Browder and another man met a 13-year-old boy through an online dating app. Messages found on the boy’s laptop reportedly led authorities to Browder, who was identified as “a known Phoenix drag queen.” During questioning, Browder allegedly admitted to the encounter but claimed he believed the boy was 18 or 19. He also claimed that the lighting in the apartment was too dark for him to realize the boy’s age.

In response to the charges, Phoenix Pride issued a statement confirming Browder’s removal from the festival, which is scheduled for October 18 and 19. “The crime alleged is one that we find reprehensible and entirely contrary to what Phoenix Pride stands for,” the organization said.

Browder is currently being held on a $10,000 secured appearance bond. If released, he will be required to wear an ankle monitor, avoid any contact with minors, and abstain from alcohol, drugs, and possession of weapons.

His case comes amid a spate of reports involving drag queens facing criminal allegations. In Wisconsin, drag performer Dwight Evan Chisolm, known on stage as “Sno Wight,” was arrested in early 2024 on charges of child enticement and exposure. Chisolm, a registered sex offender, has previous convictions related to sexual offenses with minors.

Another case from 2023 involved Shane Murnan, an Oklahoma elementary school principal who also performed in drag under the name “Ms. Shantel Mandalay.” Murnan had faced child pornography charges in the early 2000s but was not convicted. Despite the controversy, he was later hired as a principal at John Glenn Elementary School.

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Transgender Who Tried to Assassinate Kavanaugh Denied Transfer to Women’s Prison.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Nicholas Roske, the transgender who attempted to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, wants to be placed in a women’s prison. Meanwhile, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced it will appeal the eight-year sentence given to him.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Attorney General Pam Bondi, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX), Judge Deborah Boardman, and Nicholas Roske.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Senate hearing on Tuesday; sentencing occurred in federal court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That’s not going to happen in the Bureau of Prisons now.” – Pam Bondi, regarding whether Nicholas Roske would be placed in a women’s prison.

🎯IMPACT: The DOJ is appealing the sentence, and Roske will not be placed in a women’s prison.

IN FULL

Attorney General Pam Bondi assured the Senate on Tuesday that Nicholas Roske, the man convicted of attempting to assassinate Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh in 2022, will not be serving his sentence in a women’s prison. “That’s not going to happen in the Bureau of Prisons now,” Bondi stated in response to concerns raised during a Senate hearing.

Roske was sentenced to just eight years in federal prison by U.S. District Judge Deborah Boardman, who took into account Roske’s newly stated transgender identity. The Joe Biden appointee cited concerns that, under policies established during President Donald J. Trump’s administration, Roske might not have access to cross-sex hormone treatments in a men’s prison. Throughout the sentencing, Boardman referred to Roske using female pronouns, saying “she,” based on a statement from Roske’s attorneys that their client now identifies as a woman. However, no formal legal steps were taken to update court records or documentation to reflect this change.

Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) pressed Bondi during the hearing on whether Judge Boardman intended to see Roske housed in a women’s facility. Bondi firmly responded, “That’s not going to happen,” adding that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is planning to appeal the sentence, which she described as “diminutive.”

Roske’s claim of a transgender identity came after he was jailed for his crimes. He was arrested in June 2022 near Justice Kavanaugh’s home, armed with weapons and reportedly planning to kill him due to his views on abortion. Court documents also revealed that Roske had considered targeting other Supreme Court justices.

Recent reports reveal that up to 15 percent of inmates in federal women’s prisons are men who identify as women. There have been allegations of female prisoners being sexually assaulted or impregnated by transgender inmates placed in women’s facilities.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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Russia Meets With Taliban, Opposes Trump Takeover of Bagram.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Russia hosted a Taliban delegation in Moscow and warned against foreign military presence in Afghanistan or neighboring states.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov, Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi, and officials from China, India, Iran, and other regional nations.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, during an international meeting on Afghanistan held in Moscow.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan… is categorically unacceptable under any pretext.” – Sergey Lavrov

🎯IMPACT: Russia’s recognition of the Taliban strengthens its regional influence, though the Taliban’s restrictions on women hinder broader international acceptance.

IN FULL

Russia hosted a high-level Taliban delegation in Moscow on Tuesday, October 7, issuing a strong warning against any foreign military presence in Afghanistan or nearby countries. The warning comes following recent comments by President Donald J. Trump, indicating he wishes to see Bagram airbase in Afghanistan return to U.S. control.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov acknowledged the Taliban’s efforts to combat extremist groups like the Islamic State and to curb illegal drug activity. However, he was clear in his opposition to any renewed foreign military involvement in the region. “The deployment of military infrastructure of any third countries on the territory of Afghanistan, as well as on the territories of neighboring states, is categorically unacceptable under any pretext,” Lavrov said.

The warning appears particularly pointed as President Trump has recently expressed interest in reclaiming Bagram Airbase, a major U.S. military hub that was abandoned during the disastrous Biden government withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021. Trump called the move to give up Bagram “a mistake” and said efforts are underway to get it back. “We are trying to get it back, by the way,” he said in a recent interview. “We gave it for nothing. We are trying to get it back … that could be a little breaking news.” He emphasized Bagram’s strategic location, saying it is “an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.”

Notably, Trump’s relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin has soured in recent months over Putin’s intransigence over peace talks in Ukraine. The Russian backing of Afghanistan over issues like the Bagram Airbase is likely to further inflame tensions between the two leaders.

Afghan Foreign Minister Amir Khan Muttaqi praised Russia for being the first country to formally recognize the Taliban government, calling it a “bold move” and urging others to do the same. He also claimed the Taliban has made significant progress in ensuring security and creating economic opportunities.

Russia officially removed the Taliban from its list of banned organizations in July, opening the door for formal diplomatic engagement. Lavrov used the meeting to criticize Western sanctions and asset freezes targeting Afghanistan, describing them as “hostile policies.”

Despite growing ties with Moscow and some regional actors, the Taliban remains internationally isolated due to its strict domestic policies. Since returning to power, the group has barred women from most public roles, restricted their access to education beyond sixth grade, and closed off many areas of civic life, drawing widespread condemnation.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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Biden Blocked CIA Report on Hunter’s Ukraine Ties in 2016.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Newly declassified memos reveal that Joe Biden’s team intervened in 2016 to prevent the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from disseminating an intelligence report regarding Ukrainian officials’ perceptions of Hunter Biden’s business dealings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Then-Vice President Joe Biden, Hunter Biden, the CIA, and senior Ukrainian officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 2016, concerning Biden’s December 2015 visit to Kiev, Ukraine.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I just spoke with VP/NSA and he would strongly prefer the report not/not be disseminated.” – Vice President’s Presidential Daily Brief briefer.

🎯IMPACT: The intervention was described as “extremely rare and unusual” and raises concerns about politicization within the intelligence community.

IN FULL

Newly declassified intelligence documents reveal that then–Vice President Joe Biden’s office took extraordinary steps in February 2016 to prevent the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from distributing a report detailing the reactions of senior Ukrainian officials to his son Hunter Biden’s business dealings. According to the documents, Biden’s national security advisor made a direct request to the intelligence community to withhold the report from other U.S. policymakers. A senior CIA official described the request as “extremely rare and unusual.” The CIA briefer who handled the Vice President’s Presidential Daily Brief stated, “I just spoke with VP/NSA and he would strongly prefer the report not/not be disseminated.”

The report, compiled after Biden’s December 2015 visit to Kiev, described how Ukrainian government leaders were frustrated by Biden’s lack of substantive discussions with then-President Petro Poroshenko and expressed concerns over U.S. media scrutiny of Hunter Biden’s role on the board of Ukrainian energy company Burisma. The CIA summary noted, “These officials viewed the alleged ties of the U.S. Vice President’s family to corruption in Ukraine as evidence of a double-standard within the United States Government towards matters of corruption and political power.”

The same trip coincided with Biden pressuring the Ukrainian government to fire Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin, who was investigating Burisma at the time. Biden threatened to withhold a $1 billion U.S. loan guarantee unless Shokin was removed, a move that, according to the documents, ran counter to then-current assessments by the State Department and European Union (EU), which viewed Shokin’s anti-corruption reforms as adequate.

CIA officials asserted that the intelligence report met the threshold for distribution to U.S. officials and that political intervention of this nature was highly atypical. Former CIA Director John Ratcliffe, under the Trump administration, later released the document as part of a broader effort to address politicization within the intelligence community. “The CIA is being restructured at your direction to focus on our core mission and to eliminate the… well-documented politicization that has taken place in the intelligence community from bad actors in the past,” Ratcliffe said in a 2020 statement.

Additional developments have added to questions about the Biden family’s international business ties. Recently unsealed Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Internal Revenue Service (IRS) records show that Hunter Biden received payments from Ukrainian firm Burisma, Chinese energy conglomerate CEFC, and a Romanian businessman between 2014 and 2018.

In early 2024, Burisma also retroactively filed as a foreign agent for its 2016 activities, raising compliance concerns. More recently, newly released FBI files have alleged further instances of bribery involving the Biden family, though no formal charges have yet been filed.

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Biggs Urges DOJ to End Obama-Era Surveillance of Maricopa Sheriff’s Office.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Andy Biggs (R-AZ) has called for an end to a federal court-ordered monitor overseeing the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office, citing excessive costs and prolonged oversight.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Andy Biggs, the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), monitor Robert Warshaw, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The oversight began in 2013 following a federal ruling and continues to impact Maricopa County, Arizona.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This regime of judicial overreach has cost taxpayers nearly $350 million since 2013 with no end in sight.” – Rep. Andy Biggs

🎯IMPACT: The prolonged oversight has drained taxpayer funds, impacted law enforcement morale, and led to deputies leaving the MCSO.

IN FULL

Congressman Andy Biggs (R-AZ) is urging the Department of Justice (DOJ) to end a federal court-ordered monitor on the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office (MCSO), which has been in place since 2013. The monitor was implemented following a 2012 lawsuit by the Obama administration’s DOJ, alleging racial profiling and discriminatory practices against Latinos by the MCSO under former Sheriff Joseph Arpaio.

Biggs criticized the monitor as costly and unnecessary in a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, stating, “MCSO has worked tirelessly to comply with the court-ordered reforms, and it’s clear that the original goals of the oversight have been met.” According to Biggs, the oversight has cost taxpayers nearly $350 million since its inception, with no clear end in sight.

The court-appointed monitor, Robert Warshaw, has faced allegations of prolonging oversight unnecessarily. Biggs noted that the MCSO is now in nearly full compliance with the reforms, reaching 94 percent compliance in 12 of the 13 required areas. However, he argued that new standards and reporting requirements continue to emerge, creating additional burdens for the department.

Thomas Galvin, chairman of the Maricopa County Board of Supervisors, has echoed Biggs’s concerns. Galvin accused Warshaw of “moving the goalposts” and noted that $34 million has been paid to Warshaw and his firm. He also highlighted the negative impact of the oversight on law enforcement recruitment and retention, as deputies leave the MCSO for other opportunities.

Biggs concluded his letter to Bondi by stating, “Because of this and the multiplicity of burdens Warshaw’s continued monitoring of MCSO has placed on Maricopa County, I request that you move to resolve the case and end this more than decades-long overreach of the federal judiciary’s oversight activities.”

Image by Steve Fernie.

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Texas National Guard Deploys to Chicago.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Texas National Guard troops have been deployed to the Chicago area, following a federal intervention order by the Trump administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D), and U.S. District Court Judge April Perry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Troops were mobilized on Monday and remain in Chicago, Illinois, as of Tuesday, including the suburb of Broadview.

💬KEY QUOTE: “City property and unwilling private businesses will no longer serve as staging grounds for these raids.” – Brandon Johnson

🎯IMPACT: The deployment has sparked legal challenges and local political resistance, with Illinois Democrats condemning the federal intervention despite violent anti-ICE riots and surging crime.

IN FULL

Texas National Guard troops have officially arrived in the Chicago area as part of an effort by the Trump administration to strengthen federal enforcement of immigration laws and crack down on violent crime in America’s major cities. The move follows weeks of increased immigration enforcement in the city, including violent anti-U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) riots in Broadview, where law enforcement used tear gas and pepper gas against rioters.

The deployment proceeded after U.S. District Court Judge April Perry declined to block the mobilization late Monday, despite a lawsuit filed by Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul (D) and the city of Chicago. Raoul sought to prevent the use of Illinois National Guard troops and the involvement of other states’ forces, such as those from Texas. A federal judge blocked a similar deployment in Portland over the weekend.

Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) signed an executive order on Monday barring ICE agents from operating on city-owned properties. He stated, “City property and unwilling private businesses will no longer serve as staging grounds for these raids,” emphasizing that the city would resist unchecked federal actions. However, according to legal experts, Johnson’s order is likely illegal.

The Trump administration has defended the move as necessary for immigration enforcement and crime reduction. However, Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) and other Illinois officials have criticized the deployment, with Pritzker stating, “Any kind of troops on the streets of an American city don’t belong unless there is an insurrection, unless there is truly an emergency.”

The National Pulse reported Tuesday morning that a Latin Kings gang member, Juan Espinoza Martinez, has been charged with allegedly placing a bounty on U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Gregory Bovino. Martinez, a Mexican national, was arrested on October 6, 2025, in Burr Ridge, Illinois, after a confidential source informed law enforcement that a “hit” had been placed on Bovino, who is overseeing the “Midway Blitz” immigration enforcement operation in Chicago, Illinois, where the violent criminal gang is based.

Additionally, the Chicago Police Department (CPD) is facing mounting scrutiny over a dispatch order telling officers to stand down and not report to the scene of ICE agents who were surrounded by violent rioters after having their vehicles rammed and boxed in. Speaking at a press conference on Monday, Chicago Police Superintendent Larry Snelling said he is investigating the matter of the dispatch call and made it clear to rioters that federal, state, and local law enforcement are allowed and will defend themselves if attacked.

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FBI Disbands Corruption Unit, Fires Agents Following Surveillance of GOP Senators.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) terminated employees and disbanded the CR-15 squad following revelations of private communications and phone tracking of Republican lawmakers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FBI Director Kash Patel, Deputy Director Dan Bongino, Special Counsel Jack Smith, and several GOP lawmakers, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Josh Hawley (R-MO).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Actions were announced on Tuesday, October 7, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are cleaning up a diseased temple three decades in the making… restoring integrity to the FBI,” said Kash Patel.

🎯IMPACT: The FBI pledged further accountability measures, sparking renewed scrutiny of its practices and political neutrality.

IN FULL

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it has taken swift action, terminating employees and disbanding the CR-15 squad, following revelations that private communications and phone calls of Republican lawmakers were tracked. The firings follow reports on Monday that former Biden-Harris Department of Justice (DOJ) Special Counsel Jack Smith surveilled private phone calls—and tracked the private phones—of eight Republican lawmakers.

FBI Director Kash Patel addressed the issue on Tuesday, stating, “We are cleaning up a diseased temple three decades in the making—identifying the rot, removing those who weaponized law enforcement for political purposes and those who do not meet the standards of this mission while restoring integrity to the FBI. I promised reform, and I intend to deliver it.”

Patel also posted on X (formerly Twitter), emphasizing the importance of transparency and accountability, writing, “We terminated employees, we abolished the weaponized CR-15 squad, and we initiated an ongoing investigation with more accountability measures ahead.” FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino echoed Patel’s sentiments, stating, “We promised you transparency and accountability. We will continue to deliver on those promises. You deserve better.”

The CR-15 squad, which was part of the FBI’s Washington Field Office’s public corruption unit, had been involved in investigations led by former Special Counsel Jack Smith. Notably, the unit played a significant role in Smith’s investigation of President Donald J. Trump. Smith and his team, under the code name “Arctic Frost,” allegedly tracked the phone calls of nearly a dozen GOP lawmakers, including Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Ron Johnson (R-WI), and Josh Hawley (R-MO), as part of their inquiry into the January 6 Capitol riots.

Documents revealed that Smith’s team conducted toll analysis on phone records associated with these lawmakers. An FBI official confirmed that the tracking allowed Smith’s team to identify the phone numbers called, as well as the location of the calls. President Trump responded to the revelations on Truth Social, calling Smith “a real sleazebag” and accusing him of abusing his investigative powers.

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Burger Chain Embraces Patriotism with MASSIVE American Flags at All Locations.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Steak ‘n Shake has started installing large American flags at its locations nationwide, aiming to display the tallest and largest flags permitted by local governments.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Steak ‘n Shake, President Donald J. Trump, former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) frontman Elon Musk, and Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on October 5, 2025, with installations ongoing across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Every Steak n Shake is getting the tallest and biggest American flag that local governments will allow! Steak n Shake proudly supports American values and traditions.” – Steak ‘n Shake

🎯IMPACT: The move has ignited widespread support online, with notable figures like Elon Musk praising the effort, while reigniting debates over flag-related legislation.

IN FULL

Fast food chain Steak ‘n Shake has begun installing large American flags at its restaurants across the country, according to a company post on X. They stated, “Every Steak n Shake is getting the tallest and biggest American flag that local governments will allow! Steak n Shake proudly supports American values and traditions.”

The announcement quickly went viral, accumulating 6.4 million views and nearly 200,000 likes. High-profile figures, including billionaire Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk, responded positively. “I’m ordering from there tomorrow!” Musk wrote.

Steak ‘n Shake, based in Indiana, operates 397 restaurants across 24 states and territories in the U.S., employing over 10,000 people. Notably, the move follows President Donald J. Trump‘s August 25 Executive Order, which directed Attorney General Pam Bondi to prosecute individuals caught burning or desecrating the American flag on related charges such as crimes against property and the peace, or incitement.

Trump emphasized the symbolic importance of the flag, calling it “the most sacred and cherished symbol of the United States of America,” and reiterated his administration’s commitment to prosecuting flag desecration, which he described as “the clearest possible expression of opposition to the political union that preserves our rights, liberty, and security.”

In Congress, Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) introduced the Make American Flags in America Act of 2025, aimed at ensuring that all American flags procured by federal agencies are manufactured domestically. Cruz highlighted that loopholes have allowed foreign-made flags to be sold as American-made, urging Congress to pass his legislation to close these gaps.

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Grassley Exposes Another FBI Plot Against Trump.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: New documents reveal further evidence of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s “weaponization” against Donald J. Trump and his allies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senator Charles “Chuck” Grassley (R-IA), Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI, and Trump aide Peter Navarro.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 7, 2025; Senate Judiciary Committee hearing.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is the kind of conduct that shattered the American people’s faith in our government.” – Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: Increased scrutiny on the FBI’s actions and potential legal ramifications.

IN FULL

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) has released fresh documents pointing to additional “weaponization” of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) against President Donald J. Trump under indicted former Director James Comey. Among them is a message from then-Supervisory Special Agent Tim Thibault dated March 2, 2017, shortly after President Trump’s first inauguration, where he boasts that the Squad CR-15/Federal Public Corruption & Government Fraud team was “Aggressively seeking out open-source information, HUMINT info that could predicate a case” against the America First leader.

The files also shed light on the FBI’s handling of Peter Navarro, a key Trump advisor convicted on contempt of Congress charges. Grassley, 92, took issue with the bureau’s choice to arrest Navarro in full view at an airport rather than discreetly at his residence, “which was literally right next to FBI Headquarters,” deeming it “unnecessary” and appearing to imply a political motive.

During her testimony to the Senate Judiciary Committee, Attorney General Pam Bondi labeled the FBI’s conduct a “historic betrayal of public trust.” She highlighted how 92 Republican figures and organizations faced invasive FBI probes.

Grassley further unveiled a 2017 memo about an FBI investigation into payments linked to former President Bill Clinton. He raised doubts about whether the FBI chased this lead with the intensity it applied to its pursuit of Trump, asking, “Did the FBI throw its resources behind this matter just like it did against Trump and his associates? Or did they sweep it all under the rug?”

“Attorney General Bondi, I expect you to provide me with all records relating to these matters for further verification,” he added.

Image by Paul Morigi Photography.

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Jaguar Sales Continue to Plummet, Production to Resume Following Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) reported a 17.1 percent drop in vehicle sales for the July-September period, citing a cyber attack and higher U.S. tariffs as major challenges.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: JLR, its suppliers, and JLR’s CEO Adrian Mardell, with broader impacts on the automotive supply chain.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sales figures cover July to September 2025; manufacturing operations are set to restart this Wednesday at various British and global sites.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It has been a challenging quarter for JLR. We know there is much more to do but our recovery is firmly under way.” – Adrian Mardell

🎯IMPACT: A cyber attack and halted production have disrupted JLR’s global operations and affected its suppliers, prompting new financing measures to stabilize the supply chain.

IN FULL

Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) has reported a significant drop in sales, with figures showing a 17.1 percent decline in the July-September quarter compared to the same period last year. United Kingdom sales fell by nearly a third, and global wholesale volumes dropped by 24.2 percent year on year. The British carmaker attributed the downturn to a cyber attack that disrupted production since early September and the impact of higher U.S. tariffs. However, earlier this summer, JLR’s sales saw a catastrophic slump due to both a production shutdown and a woke rebrand, with these issues likely continuing to impact sales.

The National Pulse reported in June that JLR rolled out a rebrand that ditched the iconic “leaper” logo, used a lower-case monogram, and focused on electric vehicles. The rebrand received stiff backlash and mockery, with automobile enthusiasts accusing Jaguar of becoming more of a fashion or luxury brand rather than a car company after its widely-panned inaugural commercial, which featured a series of bizarrely dressed, androgynous models and zero cars.

JLR announced plans to restart production on Wednesday at multiple British sites, including its Wolverhampton engine plant, Coleshill battery assembly center, and stamping operations in Castle Bromwich, Halewood, and Solihull. Key areas of its Solihull vehicle production plant, such as the body shop and paint shop, will also resume operations. Additionally, its Nitra, Slovakia facility and Solihull’s Range Rover production lines are set to follow later in the week.

The company has unveiled a new financing scheme to support struggling suppliers affected by the cyber attack. The initiative aims to fast-track payments, with eligible suppliers receiving cash up to 120 days earlier than usual terms. JLR also committed to reimbursing financing costs for those participating in the scheme during the restart phase.

Adrian Mardell, JLR’s CEO, acknowledged the difficulties faced by the company, stating, “It has been a challenging quarter for JLR. In the first two months our performance was robust and in line with our expectations, against the backdrop of the planned wind down of legacy Jaguar models and the impact of incremental US tariffs. From the start of September, we have been responding to a cyber incident, which shut down our production. This morning we announced the phased restart of JLR’s manufacturing operations following the cyber incident. We know there is much more to do but our recovery is firmly under way.”

The British government recently announced a £1.5 billion loan guarantee to assist JLR in stabilizing its supply chain, which employs around 120,000 people. The company’s supply chain support package will initially prioritize production-critical suppliers before expanding to non-production suppliers also impacted by the disruption.

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