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2 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Trump Floats Arresting Gov. Pritzker, Mayor Johnson Amid Anti-ICE Attacks.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump called for the jailing of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D), following the deployment of 500 National Guard troops to Chicago.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Governor Pritzker, Mayor Johnson, and National Guard troops.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The comments were made Wednesday morning on Truth Social, as National Guard troops were deployed to Chicago over the weekend and on Monday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker also!” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The deployment of federalized National Guard troops has sparked significant political tension, with Illinois Democrat officials opposing the move and filing lawsuits to block it.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump called for the jailing of Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) and Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson (D) on Wednesday, taking to Truth Social to criticize their handling of public safety and failure to protect federal immigration enforcement agents from violent leftist attacks. The post comes as 500 National Guard troops have been deployed to Chicago at President Trump’s direction.

“Chicago Mayor should be in jail for failing to protect ICE Officers! Governor Pritzker also!” the America First leader wrote on Truth Social, directly targeting Johnson and Pritzker.

Gov. Pritzker, 60, responded by saying, “This is a man who’s suffering dementia,” adding: “This is a man who has something stuck in his head. He can’t get it out of his head.”

Over the weekend, the Pentagon federalized approximately 300 Illinois National Guard members, despite objections from Pritzker and the Illinois government. Additionally, Texas has sent some of its National Guard units to Illinois to assist federal agents. The state and city had previously filed lawsuits to block the deployment of armed National Guard troops to Chicago; it is expected that a federal judge will rule on the matter on Thursday morning.

President Trump’s remarks follow Marimar Martinez and Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, the two suspects arrested for a vehicle ramming attack on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents in Chicago, Illinois, over the weekend, being released from custody on Monday 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.

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30 minutes ago
Politics

WATCH: California Gov. Front-Runner Katie Porter Implodes During Interview.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Representative Katie Porter (D-CA) grew angry and irate, and nearly walked out of an interview when pressed on how she plans to appeal to Trump voters in California.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Katie Porter, journalist Julie Watts of CBS News California Investigates, and California voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The exchange occurred last month during an interview with CBS News in California, with the footage of the exchange spreading on social media this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I don’t want to keep doing this, I’m going to call it. Thank you.” – Katie Porter

🎯IMPACT: The tense exchange raises questions about Porter’s ability to connect with a broader voter base in her gubernatorial campaign and whether she even has the temperament to govern.

IN FULL

Former Representative Katie Porter (D-CA), considered a front-runner to replace California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), may have seen her campaign end right out of the gate. Among political insiders in Washington, D.C., and California, Porter has long been known for her violent temper and narcissistic attitude, but those traits are now on full public display in an abortive interview with CBS Sacramento reporter Julie Watts in which the California Democrat berates the reporter for asking simple follow-up questions. Filmed last month, the footage of Porter’s meltdown spread across social media this week.

Watts questioned Porter about her stance toward the 6.1 million Californians who voted for President Donald J. Trump in 2024, prompting Porter to respond that she didn’t need their support if running against a Republican in the general election. “How would I need them in order to win, ma’am?” Porter responded, seemingly unhappy with the question but chuckling for the camera, before going on to express certainty that she could pick up the remaining 60 percent of non-Trump votes. “I have stood on my own two feet and won Republican votes before, and that’s not something every candidate in this race can say,” Porter said, referring to her time representing “purple” Orange County.

However, she became visibly irritated when Watts pressed further on her dismissiveness toward Trump voters. Porter stated, “I feel like this is unnecessarily argumentative. What is your question?” At one point, Porter lifts her hands as if to push Watts away.

After Watts explained that similar questions had been posed to other candidates, Porter said she would seek every vote she could win. However, she ended the interview shortly after, stating, “I don’t want to keep doing this. I’m going to call it. I want to have a pleasant, positive conversation.” She also objected to follow-up questions, adding, “I don’t want this all on camera.” Porter then reached for the mic pinned to her lapel and attempted to remove it while castigating Watts’s interview methods.


Porter is notorious for aggressive and narcissistic outbursts. In an infamous 2020 exchange during a congressional hearing with then-Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, Porter became irate when Mnuchin revealed he was unaware of the then-Congresswoman’s law degree. Mnuchin had asked Porter, “Are you a lawyer?” after a series of terse exchanges regarding the Treasury Department‘s funding of Federal Reserve lending facilities.

Even more disturbing, documents filed in Porter’s divorce reveal a litany of claims of spousal abuse by Porter against her ex-husband, Matthew Hoffman. In one instance, Porter allegedly dumped scalding hot potatoes on Hoffman’s scalp.

Porter, who lost her bid for the Senate to Adam Schiff last year, is bidding to become California’s first-ever female governor. On the Republican side, her challengers include Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco and former Fox News host Steve Hilton.

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1 hour ago
News

Far-Left Streamer Hasan Piker Accused of Electrocuting Dog.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Far-left political streamer Hasan Piker faced backlash after a Twitch broadcast on October 7, 2025, where his dog Kaya yelped during a scolding, leading to allegations of animal cruelty involving a shock collar.

WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hasan Piker, his dog Kaya, and critics, including liberal streamer Ethan Klein of h3h3 Productions, who accused Piker of cruelty.

WHEN & WHERE: October 7, 2025, during a Twitch livestream, with clips shared across X and Reddit.

KEY QUOTE: “Horrifying animal cruelty caught on camera … as he activates her shock collar for one tiny step off her bed. She cries in pain … this had to be the result of some brutally strict training.” – Ethan Klein

IMPACT: The incident has sparked widespread demands for action against Piker by the Amazon-owned Twitch platform, and potentially an official investigation if a complaint is filed against him.

IN FULL

Turkish-American streamer Hasan Piker, known online as “HasanAbi,” is facing growing backlash following an October 7, 2025, livestream on Amazon-owned Twitch where his dog Kaya let out a sharp yelp after being scolded. In clips circulating widely on social media, Piker interrupts a rant that begins, “I hate this f**king country so much,” to shout at Kaya, who serves as a prop in the background of his streams, as she attempts to move from her bed. The far-leftist yells, “Kaya, please, just f**cking go—” as he appears to reach for something, before the dog suddenly yelps in pain and returns to her position. Observers believe that a shock collar or similar device may have been used to keep her in place.

Piker’s complaint that his mother had allowed Kaya to “roam the house” while dogsitting, in contrast to her seemingly restricted movements during many of his streams, further raised suspicions. Online sleuths quickly turned up a video clip in which Piker confesses to owning a shock collar and calls them “incredibly effective.” In another clip, he expresses indifference towards animals suffering, saying of the difficulties French bulldogs have with breathing: “I know they have breathing problems, I know they’re incredibly f**king inbred, I don’t give a s**t, I know, I know, I don’t care… Like, I don’t give a s**t, this is a dog.”

Critics, including h3h3 Productions’ podcaster Ethan Klein, openly accused Piker of shocking Kaya: “Horrifying animal cruelty caught on camera … as he activates her shock collar for one tiny step off her bed. She cries in pain … this had to be the result of some brutally strict training,” Klein said.

Piker denied the allegations during a follow-up stream, claiming Kaya hurt herself by clipping her bed frame, insisting, “She is the best-behaved and most spoiled dog on the planet.” He dismissed the accusations as misinterpretations. However, skepticism persists due to the timing of his hand movements just before Kaya’s pained yelp and return to her bed.

This is not Piker’s first controversy. A well-known far-left commentator with a massive online following, he has infamously said that “America deserved 9/11,” and has previously been suspended from Twitch—albeit only briefly—for telling viewers to “shoot” GOP Senator Tom Cotton in 2024, and suggesting Rick Scott should be “killed” earlier in 2025.

WATCH:

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3 hours ago
Crime

Comey Arraigned on Obstruction, False Statement Charges.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey has been indicted on charges of alleged false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding and is set to appear in federal court on Wednesday.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: James Comey, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, and District Court Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff, among others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comey’s arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday morning at 10 AM Eastern Time in the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in the Eastern District of Virginia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “No one is above the law,” said Attorney General Pam Bondi.

🎯IMPACT: The case underscores the ongoing scrutiny of past FBI leadership and its handling of key investigations, with significant implications for public trust in federal law enforcement.

IN FULL

Former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey is set to appear in federal court following his indictment on charges of alleged false statements and obstruction of a congressional proceeding. The arraignment is scheduled for Wednesday at 10 AM Eastern Time in the Albert V. Bryan United States Courthouse in the Eastern District of Virginia. District Court Judge Michael S. Nachmanoff will preside over the hearing.

Comey was indicted in September by a federal grand jury on two counts: making alleged false statements within the jurisdiction of the legislative branch and obstructing a congressional proceeding. The indictment alleges Comey obstructed a congressional investigation into the disclosure of sensitive information and falsely claimed he did not authorize an FBI official to act as an anonymous source.

Attorney General Pam Bondi commented on the case, stating, “No one is above the law.” FBI Director Kash Patel also weighed in, criticizing “previous corrupt leadership” for politicizing federal law enforcement, particularly during the Trump-Russia probe, known as “Crossfire Hurricane.”

Comey denied the allegations in a video posted to Instagram, stating, “My family and I have known for years that there are costs to standing up to Donald Trump, but we couldn’t imagine ourselves living any other way… I am innocent, so let’s have a trial and keep the faith.”

The investigation into Comey follows years of scrutiny over the FBI’s handling of the Russia hoax, which began in July 2016 and later became the focus of Special Counsel John Durham‘s investigation.

Durham’s report concluded that the FBI failed to act on clear warnings that the bureau was potentially being manipulated for political purposes to undermine President Donald J. Trump during the 2016 election. He noted that the FBI’s actions during the “Crossfire Hurricane” investigation displayed a “startling and inexplicable failure” to critically assess intelligence related to the Clinton campaign’s efforts to influence the law enforcement process.

Update: Just after 10 AM, former FBI Director James Comey entered a plea of not guilty. 

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4 hours ago
News
Science

An Undetected Asteroid Missed Earth by Just 300 Miles.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A 9.8-foot asteroid, named 2025 TF, passed within 300 miles of Earth, closer than the orbit of the International Space Station, and was only detected after it had passed.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Catalina Sky Survey detected the asteroid, which was later observed by the European Space Agency’s Planetary Defence Office.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The asteroid flew over Antarctica on October 1, 2025, at 01:47:26 BST.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Objects of this size pose no significant danger. They can produce fireballs if they strike Earth’s atmosphere, and may result in the discovery of small meteorites on the ground.” – European Space Agency

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlighted the difficulty in detecting small space objects, raising concerns about planetary defense capabilities.

IN FULL

An asteroid measuring approximately 9.8 feet, named 2025 TF, flew within 300 miles of Earth on October 1, 2025. The space rock passed closer to the Earth than the orbit of the International Space Station (ISS), at an altitude of just 265 miles. However, scientists only detected the asteroid after it had already passed, with the Catalina Sky Survey identifying it hours later.

The European Space Agency (ESA) stated that 2025 TF posed no significant danger, as objects of its size would likely burn up or explode in the atmosphere rather than impact the surface. “Objects of this size pose no significant danger,” the ESA noted, though they acknowledged such objects can produce fireballs or result in small meteorites reaching the ground.

Following the asteroid’s passage, the ESA’s Planetary Defence Office used the Las Cumbres Observatory in Australia to observe the object. This allowed astronomers to refine their measurements, determining that the asteroid’s closest approach occurred precisely at 01:47:26 BST. Despite its proximity, there were no spacecraft or satellites in its path.

Despite its current public communication limitations due to a government shutdown, NASA has listed 2025 TF on its Center for Near-Earth Object Studies website. The asteroid is expected to make another close approach in 2087, though at a much safer distance of 3.7 million miles. Its small size, however, made it difficult to detect in advance, underscoring the challenges of tracking smaller near-Earth objects.

As of October 4, 2025, there were 39,585 known near-Earth asteroids, with 11,453 measuring over 460 feet in diameter. While most pose no immediate threat, incidents like this highlight the importance of advancing planetary defense systems.

NASA and ESA have conducted tests, such as the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), to explore methods of deflecting potential threats. However, experts emphasize the need for early detection to mitigate risks effectively.

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16 hours ago
Economy
World

Trump Nears Trade Deal with Canada Following White House Meeting with Carney.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney signaled progress on a potential trade agreement during a joint press appearance at the White House.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump and  Prime Minister Carney.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, during a meeting at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to be talking about tariffs, about trade, about a lot of things—but that’s for a little later on.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Both leaders expressed optimism for a trade agreement, signaling improved relations between the North American nations.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney met at the White House on Tuesday, where both leaders indicated progress toward a potential trade agreement. During their joint press appearance, a more conciliatory Carney praised Trump’s foreign policy achievements, including his efforts in the Middle East and his economic policies.

Prime Minister Carney noted President Trump’s “transformation of the economy,” “peace agreements in the Middle East,” and “disabling Iran as a force of terror.” When asked about the trade discussions, Trump said, “We’re going to be talking about tariffs, about trade, about a lot of things—but that’s for a little later on.” He added that the people of Canada would “love us again” once an agreement is finalized.

President Trump also noted that both nations were aligned on the importance of peace in the Middle East, stating, “Our team is over there now. Literally every country in the world supports our plan.”

Carney began his remarks by highlighting what he called “the most important” of Trump’s achievements, prompting Trump to joke, “The merger of Canada and the United States.” Carney responded, “That wasn’t where I was going.”

The meeting concluded with Trump calling Carney “a great man and a world-class leader.” When a reporter asked why a deal had not yet been reached, Trump humorously replied, “Because I want to be a great man too.”


Earlier on Tuesday, The National Pulse reported that the European Commission has proposed a 50 percent tariff on steel imports exceeding a reduced annual quota, aiming to bolster the European Union’s (EU) struggling steel industry.

The move is largely seen as an attempt to head off China and India from dumping excess steel on the European market now that the former countries face steep U.S. tariffs.

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16 hours ago
Crime
News
War

Trump Halts Talks With Maduro as Alleged Cartel ‘Kill List’ Surfaces.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has halted diplomatic efforts with Venezuela’s Nicolás Maduro, coinciding with the publication of an alleged Justice Department “kill list” containing cartel leaders and others.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, special envoy Richard “Ric” Grenell, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The United States, Venezuela, and the wider region, October 2025.

🎯IMPACT: The developments signal a potential escalation in U.S. military involvement in Latin America, as the Trump administration seeks to crush “narco-terrorists.”

IN FULL

The United States appears to be moving toward a new phase of military escalation in and around Venezuela, with President Donald J. Trump reportedly terminating diplomatic engagement with President Nicolás Maduro‘s regime and authorizing a series of military strikes in the region.

President Trump is said to have instructed special envoy Richard “Ric” Grenell to halt all outreach to Caracas, surprising even close allies like Secretary of State Marco Rubio. Grenell had previously confirmed backchannel discussions with Maduro’s government, but those efforts have now been abruptly discontinued.

An alleged “kill list” containing drug cartel members and other drug traffickers was reportedly leaked to CNN, which published the claims on October 7, stating that the Justice Department’s Office of Legal Counsel is behind the list. The list allegedly contains names of cartels not yet publicly declared terrorist organizations by the Trump administration.

Operations against drug traffickers are reportedly backed by a classified legal opinion from the Department of Justice’s Office of Legal Counsel, which argues that the President has sweeping authority to use deadly force against cartels considered an imminent threat to Americans.

Reports claim that some senior Trump administration officials, including Rubio and United States Homeland Security Advisor and White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller, are pushing for a military operation aimed at removing Maduro from power entirely. This comes amid allegations, including from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), that Maduro’s regime is facilitating the infiltration of the U.S. by foreign terrorist groups.

In the Caribbean, the U.S. military presence is growing, with at least eight warships, aircraft, and other assets deployed for counter-narcotics operations. The Pentagon has already carried out multiple targeted strikes on vessels involved in drug trafficking.

One of the most high-profile incidents occurred in early September, when U.S. forces killed 11 people aboard a boat allegedly tied to Tren de Aragua, a violent Venezuelan gang with transnational reach. In response, Venezuela has reinforced coastal defenses, deployed drones and naval patrols, and mobilized troops along its borders.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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17 hours ago
Immigration
News

Southern Border Crossings Hit 55-Year Low.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Unlawful crossings at the southern border have dropped to their lowest level since 1970, according to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Border Patrol, President Donald J. Trump, DHS, and Latin American governments, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Fiscal year 2025, covering the U.S.-Mexico southern border and transit routes through Central and South America.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump has overwhelmingly delivered on his promise to secure our Southern Border. As a result, Americans are safer—unvetted criminal illegal aliens and dangerous drugs are no longer pouring over our border unchecked.” – Abigail Jackson, White House spokeswoman

🎯IMPACT: The Trump administration’s hardline immigration policies have drastically reduced illegal border crossings.

IN FULL

Illegal crossings at the U.S.–Mexico border have fallen to their lowest level in over 50 years, according to newly released internal data from the Department of Homeland Security. U.S. Border Patrol recorded approximately 238,000 apprehensions in fiscal year 2025, a dramatic decline from the 2.2 million reported in fiscal year 2022 during the Biden-Harris regime.

The sharp drop has been widely attributed to the return of aggressive enforcement policies under President Donald J. Trump since he resumed office in January 2025. These measures include expanded military deployments along the border, restricted access to asylum, and accelerated deportation procedures.

“President Trump has overwhelmingly delivered on his promise to secure our Southern Border,” said White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson. “As a result, Americans are safer—unvetted criminal illegal aliens and dangerous drugs are no longer pouring over our border unchecked.”

Notably, more than 60 percent of the fiscal year’s apprehensions occurred in the final months of Joe Biden’s term. By September 2025, the number of monthly apprehensions had dropped to a record low of 8,400. Ariel G. Ruiz Soto, senior policy analyst at the Migration Policy Institute, noted that “strict restrictions to access asylum at the border, coupled with new detention policies, are the two most important factors that have led to the recent decline in irregular [sic] migrant arrivals.”

The Trump administration has also expanded cooperation with regional governments, including Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, and Guatemala, to stem migration flows. Mexico has deployed troops to its southern and northern borders, while other countries in Central America have increased their own border enforcement efforts.

The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown extends beyond the southern border. Illegal crossings at the U.S.–Canada border have also plunged. In the Swanton Sector, which includes parts of New York, Vermont, and New Hampshire, arrests dropped by 95 percent from March 2024 to March 2025. Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs Tricia McLaughlin said, “There is now a clear message: You cannot come into the U.S. without consequence.”

Notably, Trump’s deportation strategy has driven a growing number of migrants to seek entry into Canada instead, with over 5,500 asylum claims filed at a single Quebec border crossing since July.

Domestically, the Trump administration has also increased prosecutions of illegal entrants. In June 2025 alone, over 3,000 migrants were charged with criminal reentry, a record high. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has also ramped up deportations.

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17 hours ago
Crime
News

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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18 hours ago
Crime
News

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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18 hours ago
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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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