GET THE APP
Monday, March 16, 2026

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

October 10, 2025
NatSec

Hegseth Announces New Qatari Air Force Facility in Idaho.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Pentagon has agreed to host a Qatari air force facility in Idaho to train pilots on F-15 fighter jets.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and the Qatari Emiri Air Force.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced October 10, 2025, regarding Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Today, we’re announcing a letter of acceptance in building a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho,” said Hegseth.

🎯IMPACT: This move is part of a broader military collaboration between the United States and Qatar in an effort to stabilize the regional security situation in the Middle East.

IN FULL

The Pentagon announced Friday that it has agreed to establish a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth stressed that the facility will focus on training Qatari pilots to operate F-15 fighter jets. This move is part of a broader military collaboration between the United States and Qatar in an effort to stabilize the regional security situation in the Middle East.

Hegseth emphasized Qatar’s contributions to the Gaza peace deal, stating, “Today, we’re announcing a letter of acceptance in building a Qatari Emiri Air Force facility at the Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho.”

The National Pulse reported on October 1 that President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order committing the United States to Qatar’s security, a significant move for the non-NATO Arab ally. The order asserts that any armed attack on Qatar’s territory or infrastructure will be seen as a threat to U.S. peace and security.

“The United States shall regard any armed attack on the territory, sovereignty, or critical infrastructure of the State of Qatar as a threat to the peace and security of the United States,” the Executive Order states, continuing: “In the event of such an attack, the United States shall take all lawful and appropriate measures—including diplomatic, economic, and, if necessary, military—to defend the interests of the United States and of the State of Qatar and to restore peace and stability.”

In addition, following the Israeli-Hamas ceasefire, the Trump White House has signalled it will turn its attention to expanding the Abraham Accords, a historic agreement that normalized relations between Israel and several Arab states during President Trump’s first term in office. A senior administration official told the press on Thursday, “Hopefully this will lead to much better sentiment and the opportunity to expand the Abraham Accords—to really just change the tone in the region.”

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

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

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

7 minutes ago
Data
War

Rasmussen: 61% Say Iran Strikes ‘Successful.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A recent Rasmussen Reports survey found that nearly two-thirds of American voters view the ongoing military operation against Iran as a success, though doubts remain about the United States’ alliance with Israel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: 1,098 likely U.S. voters, as surveyed by Rasmussen Reports.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The survey was conducted nationally via telephone and online, from March 8-10, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The ongoing U.S. war against Iran is viewed as a success by most voters, although many have doubts about America’s military alliance with Israel.” – Rasmussen Reports

🎯IMPACT: The survey suggests the public believes President Donald J. Trump’s strikes on Iran are succeeding, but also reveals increasing skepticism toward American relations with Israel.

IN FULL

A new voter survey released by Rasmussen Reports has found that nearly two-thirds of American voters see President Donald J. Trump‘s authorization of U.S. military operations against the Islamic Republic of Iran as successful. According to the poll, 61 percent of likely American voters believe Operation Epic Fury has been successful so far, with 35 percent of respondents rating the strikes as “Very Successful.”

“The ongoing U.S. war against Iran is viewed as a success by most voters, although many have doubts about America’s military alliance with Israel,” Rasmussen Reports said of the poll, which was conducted between March 8 and 10, surveying 1,098 likely U.S. voters.

Twenty-nine percent of likely voters surveyed said they do not consider the military operation as successful, including 12 percent who describe the strikes as “Not At All Successful.” An additional 11 percent remain unsure about the operation’s effectiveness.

Meanwhile, the data found that a majority of likely voters neither see the U.S. alliance with Israel as good nor as bad for America. According to the survey, just 44 percent of respondents said the alliance is good for the United States, while 36 percent said it is not good. Notably, 20 percent said they were unsure.

The view of U.S.-Israeli relations becomes more stark when broken down along partisan identification. Rasmussen Reports found that just 26 percent of Democrats view the alliance as good for America, while 53 percent said it is bad. Among Republicans, 70 percent said the alliance with Israel is good for the U.S., while just 19 percent said it is bad. Independent voters split nearly evenly on the issue, with 38 percent saying it is good, and 35 percent describing the alliance as bad for America.

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

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

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

41 minutes ago
Jack Montgomery
News

WATCH: ‘I Can Do Anything I Want With It’ — Trump Predicts He Will Have ‘The Honor’ of ‘Taking Cuba.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has predicted that he will be the American leader to have “the honor” of finally “taking Cuba.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Cuban exiles, and the Communist Party of Cuba.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 16, 2026, in the Oval Office.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I do believe I’ll be having the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor.” – President Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s comments add to the rising speculation that his administration is preparing to topple Cuba’s communist regime, which is reeling from an energy crisis caused by the removal of Marxist dictator Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, which was Cuba’s chief source of oil.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump told the press he expects to be the U.S. leader who finally has “the honor” of “taking Cuba” in comments in the Oval Office on Monday. “A lot of Cubans have said, oh boy, would they love to go back… It’s a beautiful island; great weather,” he said, adding, “All my life I’ve been hearing about the United States and Cuba, ‘When will the United States do it?’ I do believe I’ll be having the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor.”

When asked by a reporter to clarify his remarks, Trump confirmed, “Taking Cuba, in some form, yeah,” emphasizing, “I mean, whether I free it, take it, I think I can do anything I want with it, if you wanna know the truth. They’re a very weakened nation right now.” Notably, Cuba is currently experiencing an energy crisis, precipitated by the U.S. ouster of Marxist dictator Nicolás Maduro in Venezuela, which was the communist-led island’s main source of oil.

Residents in central Cuba partially destroyed a local communist party headquarters during a protest over energy and food shortages over the weekend, underscoring the growing strain the regime is facing. The country’s leadership is already in talks with the Trump administration—at the same time as the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is building a criminal case against them.

Trump’s comments on Monday follow comments earlier this month predicting “Cuba’s going to fall” and mulling the possibility of a “friendly takeover.”

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

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

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

1 hour ago
Politics

Dems Want CRIMINAL CHARGES For Ousted Kristi Noem. Here’s Why…

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congressional Democrats have requested criminal charges against outgoing Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, alleging she lied to Congress during recent hearings.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD), Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), Kristi Noem, President Donald J. Trump, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA), and Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The accusations stem from testimony given earlier this month during oversight hearings in Congress.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Any claim that Secretary Noem committed perjury is categorically FALSE.” – DHS spokesman

🎯IMPACT: The allegations are unlikely to lead to criminal charges in the near term, though the statute of limitations for perjury extends for five years.

IN FULL

Congressional Democrats are pursuing criminal charges against outgoing Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, accusing her of making false statements during recent testimony. The allegations are detailed in a letter sent to the Department of Justice (DOJ) by Representative Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), who claim Noem violated statutes prohibiting perjury and knowingly providing false statements to Congress.

“A number of her statements appear to violate criminal statutes prohibiting perjury and knowingly making false statements to Congress,” the Congressional Democrat letter states. It adds, “After months of evading our Committees’ requests to testify in routine oversight hearings, Secretary Noem made a series of demonstrably false statements in a brazen attempt to undermine critical congressional oversight of the Department of Homeland Security.”

The Democrat lawmakers allege that Noem’s testimony included misleading answers on topics such as DHS compliance with court orders, the role of Corey Lewandowski in DHS contracts, immigration enforcement practices, and the bidding process for a $220 million advertising campaign. During the hearings, Sen. John Kennedy (R-LA) questioned Noem about the ad campaign, which heavily featured her and allegedly lacked a competitive bidding process. Noem insisted the contracts were competitively bid and approved by career officials, but Kennedy and others have expressed skepticism.

The advertising campaign’s ties to former DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin and her husband, Benjamin Yoho, have also drawn scrutiny. Kennedy stated during a hearing earlier this month, “It’s something we have to defend. I’m on the Appropriations Committee. I mean, my research shows that you did not bid them out.”

Democrats argue that Noem’s testimony misrepresented facts, with Durbin and Raskin writing, “Even if Secretary Noem was the one telling the truth about the President’s knowledge, and she may well have been, she flatly misrepresented that the contract had been subject to a competitive bid.” The Trump administration has defended Noem, with a DHS spokesman calling the perjury claims “categorically FALSE.”

Noem’s removal from her position as DHS Secretary as of March 31 was recently announced by President Donald J. Trump. She has been reassigned to serve as a special envoy to the Shield of the Americas. Trump has nominated Sen. Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) to replace her, with confirmation hearings expected soon.

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

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

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

2 hours ago
News

Lake Mead Is In Real Trouble, Which Means So Are Phoenix and Las Vegas.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal forecasts predict Lake Mead could sink to a record low within the next two years, falling below its 2022 levels.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR), Sharon Megdal of the University of Arizona, and stakeholders in the Colorado River system.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Projections released Friday indicate Lake Mead’s November 2027 level will fall to 1,032.76 feet above sea level. Lake Mead and Lake Powell are part of the Colorado River system in the Southwestern U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Urgent, collective action is essential—we must move forward together, without further delay.” – Peter Soeth, USBR deputy chief of public affairs

🎯IMPACT: The Colorado River system faces critical strain, jeopardizing water supplies, irrigation, and hydropower generation for millions.

IN FULL

Water levels at Lake Mead in the Southwestern United States could hit an unprecedented low within the next two years, according to new federal forecasts. The U.S. Bureau of Reclamation (USBR) projects that the reservoir‘s November 2027 end-of-month level will reach 1,032.76 feet above sea level. This would be nearly eight feet below the previous record low set in 2022, when drought conditions exposed skeletal remains.

Lake Mead is a critical reservoir and part of the Colorado River system, which—along with Lake Powell—helps provide irrigation for over five million acres of farmland and drinking water to an estimated 40 million people across the Southwest. As of March 13, the lake was only 34 percent full, with 8.8 million acre-feet of water in storage—roughly 53 percent of the average level for the date.

Peter Soeth, USBR deputy chief of public affairs, emphasized the urgency of addressing the issue, stating, “Reclamation is closely monitoring hydrologic conditions and coordinating with stakeholders. The basin’s continued poor hydrologic outlook underscores the need for collaboration as we develop new operating guidelines for the Colorado River system. Urgent, collective action is essential—we must move forward together, without further delay.”

Concerningly, Lake Powell is also at risk, with earlier forecasts suggesting it could drop to minimum hydropower levels by this coming December. Such a scenario could threaten Glen Canyon Dam’s ability to generate electricity. Sharon Megdal, director of the University of Arizona Water Resources Research Center, described the situation as dire, stating, “Currently, the water-in-storage situation for the Colorado River system is not good. [There is] less in storage than last year, and current snow conditions are not good. Even if early 2026 snowpack is robust, the system will remain highly stressed.”

Major population centers across the Southwest—including Phoenix, Arizona, and Las Vegas, Nevada—are heavily reliant on the Colorado River system and its reservoir lakes for water. Without the system, neither city would be able to adequately provide drinking water to sustain its population.

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

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

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

3 hours ago
Immigration

Border Chief Ousted After Minnesota Climbdown, Greg Bovino, Retires.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Gregory Bovino, a prominent Border Patrol official, announced his retirement after nearly 30 years of service.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gregory Bovino, Border Patrol agents, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and former White House Border Czar Tom Homan.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bovino announced his retirement in March 2026, following his removal from Minnesota operations earlier in the year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The greatest honor of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced,” said Bovino.

🎯IMPACT: Bovino’s operations, including “Operation Trojan Horse” and “Operation Midway Blitz,” resulted in thousands of arrests and demonstrated innovative enforcement methods.

IN FULL

Former U.S. Border Patrol Commander-at-Large Gregory Bovino is set to retire from the federal agency at the end of March 2026, capping a nearly 30-year career with the agency. Bovino expressed deep pride in his service, saying, “The greatest honor of my entire life was to work alongside Border Patrol agents on the border and in the interior of the United States in some of the most challenging conditions the agency has ever faced.”

He added, “Watching these agents out there giving it their all in some of the most dangerous of environments we have ever faced was humbling.” Bovino had been a central figure in President Donald J. Trump’s immigration enforcement initiatives, directing operations in major urban areas including Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Orleans. In Los Angeles, the “Operation Trojan Horse” effort resulted in more than 5,000 arrests, while “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago led to over 3,000 arrests. Bovino often deployed alongside agents in person, tangling with pro-illegal immigrant agitators hand-to-hand.

His departure follows his removal earlier this year from leading immigration enforcement activities in Minnesota. There, he had been collaborating with then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem on a major operation that faced stiff resistance from anti-ICE agitators, two of whom, Alex Pretti and Renee Good, were fatally shot by federal agents during confrontations. Following these incidents, White House Border Czar Tom Homan replaced both Bovino and Noem in overseeing the Minnesota efforts, which were rapidly wound down, seemingly in deference to the demonstrators and state Democrats.

Bovino began his career in the El Centro Sector of California in 1996, and he currently holds the position of chief patrol agent there. He has not shared any details about his plans after leaving the agency.

Image by Chad Davis.

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

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

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

3 hours ago
Media

The BBC Wants Trump’s Defamation Suit Dismissed on a Technicality.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The BBC has filed a motion in a U.S. court to dismiss President Donald J. Trump’s $10 billion lawsuit over a documentary that edited his January 6, 2021, speech, claiming that because the film never aired in Florida, the court has no jurisdiction.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The BBC, President Donald J. Trump, and the Southern District of Florida federal court.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in December 2025 in Florida, with a trial date set for February 2027.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Early dismissal is favored given the powerful interest in ensuring that free speech is not unduly burdened by the necessity of defending against expensive yet groundless litigation,” the BBC argued in its motion.

🎯IMPACT: The BBC has subsequently been exposed as having edited other remarks by President Trump and White House officials, raising concerns about editorial impartiality and the truthfulness of media portrayals of political leaders.

IN FULL

The BBC has asked a U.S. court to dismiss a $10 billion lawsuit filed by President Donald J. Trump, arguing that the case could have a “chilling effect” on reporting about public figures. The lawsuit, filed in a Florida court in December 2025, centers on a BBC documentary that edited Trump’s January 6, 2021, speech, splicing together clips of remarks Trump made to create a false narrative of him encouraging violence.

According to the filing, the British broadcaster contends that the Florida court lacks jurisdiction and that Trump failed to demonstrate that the BBC knowingly intended to misrepresent him.

In its 34-page filing, the BBC claims that Trump’s lawsuit “falls well short of the high bar of actual malice” required for a defamation case involving a public figure. The National Pulse reported earlier this month that the broadcaster was caught editing remarks by other Trump administration officials, including Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

“Early dismissal is favored given the powerful interest in ensuring that free speech is not unduly burdened by the necessity of defending against expensive yet groundless litigation, which would constrict the breathing space needed to ensure robust reporting on public figures and events,” attorneys for the BBC state.

The documentary, titled Trump: A Second Chance?, aired shortly before the 2024 U.S. presidential election. It spliced together segments of Trump’s January 6 speech, omitting his call for peaceful demonstrations, and appeared to depict him encouraging supporters to storm the Capitol. Trump’s lawsuit accuses the BBC of defamation and unfair trade practices, seeking $5 billion in damages for each claim.

Last November, the BBC admitted its editing gave “the impression of a direct call for violent action,” leading to apologies from its chairman and the resignations of its top executive and head of news. However, the broadcaster denies defaming Trump and maintains that the lawsuit threatens freedom of speech. A federal judge has tentatively scheduled the trial for February 2027.

Image by Paul Harrop.

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

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

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

4 hours ago
News

Trump Blasts Starmer Over UK Iran Response, But Ordinary Britons Don’t Want Involvement, Either.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Donald Trump criticized international allies, including the UK, Germany, and Australia, for their reluctance to support his proposal for a multinational naval force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Sir Keir Starmer, Emmanuel Macron, Boris Pistorius, Antonio Tajani, and Sanae Takaichi, among others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing discussions amidst the Iran war, with events occurring in the Middle East, the UK, and other global hubs.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I was very surprised with the United Kingdom because… two weeks ago I said, ‘Why don’t you send some ships over?’ And he really did not want to do it.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The lack of international support complicates efforts to secure the Strait of Hormuz, exacerbating tensions in the Middle East and fueling global energy market instability.

IN FULL

Donald Trump has criticized several key allies, including the UK, Germany, Italy, Japan, and Australia, for their hesitation to join his proposed multinational naval force to reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The waterway has become a flashpoint amid the ongoing Iran war, with oil supply routes disrupted due to Iranian aggression.

The US president expressed disappointment in the UK’s response, singling out Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer for failing to take decisive action. “I said ‘you don’t want to do it, we’ve been with you, you are our oldest ally, and we spend a lot of money on NATO… to protect you,’” Trump stated. He also criticized Starmer’s leadership approach, saying, “You don’t need to meet up with the team, you are the Prime Minister, you can make your own [decision].”

While Trump has called for greater international involvement, allies like Germany and Australia have declined to participate. German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius remarked, “This is not our war, we have not started it,” while Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani noted that his country’s naval efforts remain focused on the Red Sea.

Public opinion appears to reflect the sentiments of European leaders, many of whom view the conflict as Israeli-led and not in their interests.

Most Britons believe the UK should be “purely defensive,’ with 46 percent favoring shooting down drones and defending civilian and military sites. About 26 percent support a “retaliatory only’ role, attacking military targets that strike civilians or UK forces, but avoid wider involvement.

Only 8 percent of Britons want the UK to join the conflict, launching attacks in Iran.

The closure of the Strait of Hormuz, through which a fifth of global oil supplies pass, has driven up oil prices and heightened global market instability. Naval experts have warned of the risks involved in escorting oil tankers through the strait, citing potential Iranian drone attacks.

Join Pulse+ to comment below and receive exclusive email analyses.

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

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

4 hours ago
Health

RFK Jr. Orders Health Providers and Insurers to Disclose Rates, Publicly Post Prices.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced that healthcare providers and insurers must publicly post their prices for services.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Robert F. Kennedy Jr., healthcare providers, insurance companies, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement follows a February 25 Executive Order reimplementing Trump’s healthcare pricing policy from his first administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re requiring all providers in this country to post their prices publicly.” – Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

🎯IMPACT: The policy aims to increase transparency and drive down healthcare costs through competition.

IN FULL

Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. announced on Monday that doctors, healthcare providers, and insurers will be required to publicly post the prices of their services. The HHS action comes after a February 25 Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump that mandates enforcement of a pricing transparency policy enacted during the first Trump administration but saw limited enforcement under former President Joe Biden.

“The insurance companies… the doctors and the hospitals are going to have to tell you, before you go in there, exactly what their price schedule is,” Secretary Kennedy said in a clip posted to X (formerly Twitter). “So, now, we’re requiring all providers in this country to post their prices publicly.”

“If you want an MRI, and you wanted to shop around and find… the cheapest MRI, you wouldn’t have been able to do that, but now you’re going to be able to do that,” Kennedy explained, adding, “You’re going to be able to shop around, and that’s going to drive down prices.”

Notably, the pricing transparency policy also extends to insurance companies, which will now be required to post what they compensate providers. “We’re also forcing the insurance industries to post what they compensate the providers, and that is going to drive down health care prices,” he said, adding that forcing transparency from insurers will allow companies to better negotiate with insurance providers.

The move builds on the Trump administration’s “Great Healthcare Plan,” launched in January 2026, which requires healthcare providers and insurers accepting Medicare or Medicaid to prominently display pricing and fees in their places of business.

In 2023, the former Biden government was sued in federal court for failing to implement the 2021 price transparency policy and was subsequently forced to reverse course and begin enforcement.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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

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

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

5 hours ago
War

Iran Claims to Be Receiving Military Support from China and Russia.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran announced that Russia and China are providing military “cooperation” to Tehran.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, Russia, China, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Araghchi revealed the Russian and Chinese cooperation in an interview over the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We have had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well.” – Abbas Araghchi

🎯IMPACT: The cooperation is part of a broader strategic partnership challenging U.S. interests and affecting global oil markets.

IN FULL

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi claims that both Russia and China are providing military “cooperation” to Iran amid ongoing U.S. and Israeli military strikes against the Islamic regime. The revelation came during an interview with Araghchi on MS NOW, where he emphasized the strategic partnership between Tehran, Moscow, and Beijing.

“We have had close cooperation in the past, which still continues, and that includes military cooperation as well,” Araghchi stated. He highlighted the comprehensive cooperation Iran maintains with these nations, spanning political, economic, and military realms.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump speculated on Friday about Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s involvement with Iran, suggesting, “I guess, and he probably thinks we’re helping Ukraine, right?” The United States has, since before Russia’s February 24, 2022, invasion of Ukraine, provided Kiev with lethal aid.

Meanwhile, Iran and Russia’s ties have grown stronger over the last decade. Iran has been supplying Russia with Shahed drones, utilized in the Ukraine war, and has established drone factories within Russia. Both countries also previously supported the fallen Assad regime in Syria. China, meanwhile, has maintained a far more economically focused relationship with Iran, being the primary buyer of Iranian oil.

Araghchi also addressed the situation in the Strait of Hormuz, a crucial waterway for global oil, gas, and fertilizer transport. He asserted that the Strait is closed to ships from nations attacking Iran, specifically American and Israeli vessels, yet remains open to others.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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

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

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

6 hours ago
News

U.S. Mint Removes Olive Branch from Dime for America’s 250th Anniversary.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Mint unveiled new coin designs for the nation’s 250th anniversary, omitting the olive branch from the newly designed dime.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Mint, Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally, and Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Designs reviewed in 2024, finalized in 2025, and released in 2026 to commemorate 250 years of American history.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty.” – Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally

🎯IMPACT: Some have interpreted the omission of the olive branch from the new dime design as a cultural signal of a more robust and aggressive U.S. presence in the world.

IN FULL

The U.S. Mint has unveiled new designs for the country’s 250th anniversary, including a redesigned dime that notably omits the olive branch usually held in the talons of the bald eagle depicted on the coin. Instead, the reverse of the dime now features the eagle mid-flight holding arrows in its left talon, with the other talon empty, and the inscription “Liberty over Tyranny” beneath.

Historically, the olive branch has been a key element in American symbolism, representing peace. On the Great Seal of the United States, the eagle holds an olive branch in its right talon and arrows in its left, with its head turned toward the olive branch. This arrangement was meant to signify a preference for peace, though the nation is always prepared for war. Some have interpreted the omission of the olive branch from the new dime design as a cultural signal of a more robust and aggressive U.S. presence in the world.

The redesign marks the first major overhaul of U.S. coinage since the nation’s Bicentennial in 1976. Authorized by Congress, the Semiquincentennial series includes changes to the dime, quarter, half dollar, penny, and dollar coin, each bearing the dates 1776–2026. Acting Mint Director Kristie McNally explained that the redesign’s goal was to allow Americans to “hold 250 years of history in their hands” and to celebrate the ideals of liberty.

“The designs on these historic coins depict the story of America’s journey toward a ‘more perfect union,’ and celebrate America’s defining ideals of liberty,” McNally said, adding, “We hope to offer each American the opportunity to hold our nation’s storied 250 years of history in the palms of their hands as we Connect America through Coins.”

The coin designs underwent public review in 2024 and were finalized in 2025. Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent approved the final designs, nixing some of the quarter concepts introduced under the former Biden government for focusing on “DEI and Critical Race Theory policies.”

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

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