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Tuesday, October 14, 2025

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4 hours ago
William Upton
Crime
Immigration

Mexican Cartels, Domestic Extremists Place Bounties on ICE and CBP Agents.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Mexican criminal organizations have placed bounties on U.S. federal law enforcement officers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Cartels in Mexico, domestic extremist groups, and street gangs in Chicago.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Information released on October 14, 2025; activities in Chicago and other U.S. cities.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These criminal networks are not just resisting the rule of law, they are waging an organized campaign of terror against the brave men and women who protect our borders and communities.” – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

🎯IMPACT: Federal agents face increased threats and ambushes, with calls for public vigilance and reporting.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) says it has received credible intelligence that Mexican drug cartels are offering bounties to and communicating with left-wing, criminal U.S. domestic extremists to target and attack U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Chicago, Illinois. According to DHS, these networks have instructed U.S.-based affiliates, including Chicago street gangs, to monitor and attack federal agents. In areas like Chicago’s Pilsen and Little Village, gang members have been observed using rooftop spotters equipped with firearms and radios to track ICE and CBP movements.

Concerningly, DHS claims the bounty system is structured, offering $2,000 for intelligence gathering, $5,000–$10,000 for kidnappings or non-lethal assaults, and up to $50,000 for assassinations of high-ranking officials. Antifa groups in Portland and Chicago have also been implicated in providing support to these criminal activities.

In response to increasing threats and engagement of international criminal elements, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated, “Our agents are facing ambushes, drone surveillance, and death threats, all because they dare to enforce the laws passed by Congress. We will not back down from these threats, and every criminal, terrorist, and illegal alien will face American justice.”

The National Pulse reported last week 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.

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5 minutes ago
Media

WATCH: Trump Slams ‘The View’ After Griffin Breaks MAGA Hat Hostages Promise.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump responded to Alyssa Farah Griffin’s broken promise to wear a MAGA hat on The View if Israeli hostages were released by Hamas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Alyssa Farah Griffin, and co-hosts of The View.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comments were made at the White House on Tuesday during a press interaction.

💬KEY QUOTE: “She gave me the most beautiful letter you have ever seen. ‘I was a great president. What a great job.’” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Griffin’s lack of integrity has further undermined the credibility of The View and its personalities.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump on Tuesday took a few jabs at ABC’s The View and co-host Alyssa Farah Griffin, who had pledged to wear a MAGA hat for a full episode if Hamas released its remaining Israeli hostages. Speaking at the White House on Tuesday, the President inquired whether Griffin had followed through on her promise from last December, in which she stated that if Trump “gets the hostages out, I promise that I will wear a MAGA hat for one day on the show and say, ‘Thank you for doing it.'”

When asked by a reporter about the pledge, Trump responded, “Did she put the hat on?” The reporter noted that Griffin had not. Trump then sought clarification on who exactly the reporter was referencing, wanting to be sure it was Griffin who made the pledge.

After being reminded of Griffin’s identity, Trump remarked, “She used to work here… She gave me the most beautiful letter you have ever seen. ‘I was a great president. What a great job.’ Some of the letters have been quoted. This is Alyssa, who I never thought was very outstanding, and she didn’t have a big role here, either. And then we had January 6, and she left.”

Griffin served as White House director of strategic communications in 2020. Trump’s comments referenced a letter she wrote upon her departure, praising his administration’s accomplishments. However, Griffin later criticized Trump following the election protests on January 6 and became a co-host on The View in 2022.

Griffin did admit on Monday’s episode of The View that Trump and his team deserved credit for the release of hostages, saying, “Whether you like Trump or not, I think that he, Steve Witkoff, and I think Jared Kushner do deserve credit for this deal.”

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By Popular Demand.
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39 minutes ago
Crime
News

Trump Confirms New Strike on Narco-Terrorists Near Venezuela.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced a U.S. airstrike on a drug-trafficking vessel in international waters near Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of six narco-terrorists.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, U.S. intelligence, and Venezuelan UN Ambassador Samuel Moncada.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The strike occurred in international waters near Venezuela and was announced on October 14.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!!!” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: This marks the latest U.S. airstrike targeting Venezuelan drug-trafficking boats, escalating tensions with Venezuela and the Maduro regime.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has confirmed on Truth Social that the U.S. military has conducted an airstrike on another drug vessel in international waters near Venezuela, resulting in the deaths of six narco-terrorists aboard. Trump stated that the operation was carried out with his direct approval under the direction of Secretary of War Pete Hegseth.

“The strike was conducted in International Waters, and six male narco-terrorists aboard the vessel were killed in the strike. No U.S. Forces were harmed. Thank you for your attention to this matter!!!!!!” Trump wrote. He also shared a 33-second video showing the destruction of the vessel.

This marks the latest U.S. airstrike targeting Venezuelan drug-smuggling boats since Trump’s return to office. Previous strikes have reportedly killed a total of 21 narco-terrorists so far. In an earlier operation, a boat connected to the criminal group Tren de Aragua was struck, killing 11 people. Another airstrike last month resulted in the deaths of four suspected traffickers. According to Secretary Hegseth, the vessels were tied to terrorist organizations operating in the region.

The Venezuelan government has condemned the strikes as violations of international law. In response to earlier U.S. operations, Venezuela launched extensive military drills involving naval and air forces, drones, and electronic warfare systems, particularly near the island of La Orchila, home to key military infrastructure. The Maduro regime has labeled these exercises defensive in nature, aimed at protecting national sovereignty.

Diplomatic relations between the United States and Venezuela have been severed following the escalation of these military actions. President Trump has consistently referred to Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro as both a dictator and a drug kingpin, signaling a hardline approach as tensions between the two countries continue to rise.

WATCH:

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
William Upton
News

Trump Declares Oct. 14 ‘National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump awarded Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom while also signing a Proclamation that October 14 shall be known as a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk”—the date marking Kirk’s birthday.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Charlie Kirk, Erika Kirk, and dignitaries gathered in the White House Rose Garden.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 14, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Only hours ago, I returned from a trip to secure peace in the Middle East… I raced back halfway around the globe—I was gonna call, say to Erika, ‘Can you move it to Friday?’ And I didn’t have the courage to call… because today was Charlie’s birthday. I would not have missed this moment for anything in the world. Nothing.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Medal and Proclamation honor Kirk for his work and legacy on behalf of American freedoms, including free and open debate.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump awarded Charlie Kirk a posthumous Presidential Medal of Freedom while also signing a Proclamation that October 14 shall be known as a “National Day of Remembrance for Charlie Kirk”—the date marking Kirk’s birthday. On September 10 this year, Kirk was assassinated, allegedly by leftist radical Tyler Robinson, while holding a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) debate event on the campus of Utah Valley University.

“On the afternoon of Wednesday, September 10, 2025, pure evil struck when the legendary Charlie Kirk was assassinated in broad daylight in a campus courtyard, triggering a groundswell of righteous fury all across our land,” the Presidential Proclamation states. “Today, our Nation honors the immortal memory of Charlie—a father, a husband, a Christian martyr, and a titan of the American conservative movement. We honor his life, we send our condolences to his beautiful family, and we pledge to advance the values for which he laid down his life.”

“As we mourn this extraordinary loss, my Administration will continue to do everything in its power to end this devastating wave of political violence. No civilized country can endure a culture where open debate is met with gunfire, the pursuit of truth is met with bloodshed, and love of country is met with seething hatred,” the Proclamation adds.

A large crowd gathered in the White House Rose Garden on Tuesday evening for the medal ceremony, with Trump speaking alongside Kirk’s widow, Erika. President Trump reflected on Kirk’s life, achievements, and friendship while lamenting the surge in left-wing political violence across the country.


“Only hours ago, I returned from a trip to secure peace in the Middle East… I raced back halfway around the globe—I was gonna call, say to Erika, ‘Can you move it to Friday?’ And I didn’t have the courage to call… because today was Charlie’s birthday,” Trump recalled, adding: “I would not have missed this moment for anything in the world. Nothing.”

“Charlie Kirk was one of a kind… he was indomitable… and we will hold him in our hearts forever,” Trump said.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
NatSec

Deep State Federal Worker Arrested for Stealing Classified Docs, Colluding with China.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A State Department employee is accused of removing classified documents from secure locations and meeting with Chinese officials.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ashley Tellis, a senior adviser to the State Department and contractor with the Office of Net Assessment, is the subject of the allegations.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The alleged activities occurred over several years, with key meetings reportedly taking place in Virginia restaurants, including in April and September 2023.

🎯IMPACT: Authorities discovered over 1,000 pages of classified documents at Tellis’s home, raising concerns over potential national security breaches.

IN FULL

Ashley Tellis, a senior adviser to the State Department and contractor with the Office of Net Assessment at the Department of War, has been accused of unlawfully retaining classified documents and meeting with Chinese officials over the past several years. Court documents reveal that Tellis, who held a top-secret clearance, began working for the State Department in 2001 and is considered an expert on India and South Asian affairs.

Federal prosecutors allege that Tellis had access to sensitive information and used his position to unlawfully obtain classified materials. During a search of his Vienna, Virginia, home, authorities reportedly found over 1,000 pages of documents marked “TOP SECRET” and “SECRET.”

On multiple occasions, Tellis allegedly met with Chinese officials, including a meeting in September 2022 at a Virginia restaurant where he was observed holding a manila envelope. In April 2023, prosecutors claim Tellis discussed Iranian-Chinese relations and emerging technologies with Chinese officials during a dinner meeting.

Additionally, Tellis reportedly received a gift bag during a September 2 dinner meeting with Chinese officials. On September 25, he allegedly printed classified U.S. Air Force documents concerning military aircraft capabilities, further raising concerns about potential espionage activities.

The National Pulse reported in October last year that Chinese Communist Party (CCP)-sponsored espionage efforts in the United States significantly increased in the United States under Joe Biden and Kamala Harris. According to a lengthy congressional investigation, there were over 55 instances of Chinese espionage in 20 states between January 2021 and October 2024. These cases involve the transmission of sensitive military data, theft of trade secrets, repression schemes against dissidents, and obstruction of justice.

Additionally, the report mentions various incidents involving Chinese nationals, including an attempted breach at the Marine Corps Air Ground Combat Center in California in March. It also highlights the case of Ji Chaoqun, who was sentenced to eight years in January 2023 for working as an illegal agent for China in the U.S. Chaoqun’s role reportedly involved efforts to recruit American scientists and engineers and gain access to advanced technologies.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News

WATCH LIVE: Trump Honors Charlie Kirk with Posthumous Medal of Freedom.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump is awarding the Medal of Freedom posthumously to Charlie Kirk, the assassinated founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Charlie Kirk, and Erika Kirk.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 14, 2025, at a White House ceremony in the Rose Garden.

🎯IMPACT: Congress approved resolutions for a National Day of Remembrance on this date.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is honoring Charlie Kirk, the assassinated founder of Turning Point USA (TPUSA), with the Medal of Freedom posthumously. The ceremony is taking place in the Rose Garden of the White House.

The event coincides with what would have been Kirk’s 32nd birthday. This date has been designated as a National Day of Remembrance following resolutions passed by both chambers of Congress.

The award is being presented to Kirk’s widow, Erika Kirk, who has taken on the role of CEO at Turning Point USA since her husband’s murder. The ceremony was a significant moment of commemoration for the late conservative youth organizer’s work and legacy.

WATCH:

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
War

European Military Aid to Ukraine Dropped Like a Stone This Summer.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: European military aid to Ukraine dropped significantly during the summer months, according to new data from the Kiel Institute for the World Economy.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: NATO member nations, the Kiel Institute for the World Economy, and Ukraine.

📍WHEN & WHERE: July and August 2025, across Europe and NATO-aligned countries.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Europe is scaling back its overall military support. What will be crucial now is how the figures evolve in the autumn,” said Christoph Trebesch of the Kiel Institute.

🎯IMPACT: A 57 percent reduction in European military aid raises questions about Ukraine’s ability to sustain its defense capabilities, and European NATO members’ commitment to pulling their weight relative to the United States.

IN FULL

European military aid to Ukraine dropped significantly this summer, despite the launch of a new NATO initiative designed to streamline arms deliveries. A report released Tuesday by the Kiel Institute for the World Economy found that European countries provided or pledged around €3.3 billion (approximately $3.8 billion) in military support during July and August—a 57 percent decrease from the earlier monthly average of €3.85 billion (about $4.5 billion). Military assistance from all donor countries declined overall, but by a lower average rate of 43 percent.

Much of the aid provided over the summer came through NATO’s Prioritised Ukraine Requirements List, or PURL, a program launched in July that enables member countries to purchase U.S. stockpiles of weapons and ammunition for Ukraine. By the end of August, eight NATO members, including Germany, Canada, and Belgium, had contributed a total of €1.9 billion (about $2.2 billion USD) through the PURL framework.

Unlike military support, humanitarian and financial aid have remained relatively stable. In the first half of 2025 alone, Europe provided €7.5 billion ($8.7 billion USD) in non-military assistance, despite the absence of any new financial commitments from the U.S.

Christoph Trebesch, head of the Ukraine Support Tracker at the Kiel Institute, warned that the decline in military assistance could undermine Ukraine’s ability to continue defending itself. “Europe is scaling back its overall military support,” he said. “What will be crucial now is how the figures evolve in the autumn.”

The downturn in aid comes as Ukraine continues to struggle against ongoing Russian assaults. Russian forces have recently intensified strikes on energy infrastructure, and President Vladimir Putin claimed earlier this month that Russian troops had captured nearly 5,000 square kilometers (1,930 square miles) of Ukrainian territory in 2025 alone.

Meanwhile, Western public support is waning. A recent poll showed that only one in ten Europeans believes Ukraine can win the war.

Image via Presidential Office of Ukraine.

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3 hours ago
Crime

Ex-Naval Academy Student Indicted for ‘Mass Execution’ Threat After Charlie Kirk’s Assassination.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A former Naval Academy student was arrested for allegedly threatening a “mass execution” on social media following the assassination of Charlie Kirk.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jackson Fleming, federal prosecutors, and Naval Academy students.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The threat was allegedly posted on September 11 from Chesterton, Indiana, targeting the Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, with Jackson Fleming being formally indicted on October 8.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Honestly not that surprised I’ll be carrying out the mass execution of my peers in a couple,” Fleming allegedly posted on Jodel.

🎯IMPACT: The Naval Academy went on lockdown, resulting in two injuries, including one current student.

IN FULL

Jackson Fleming, a former Naval Academy student, was arrested in mid-September on one count of making a threat across state lines. Federal prosecutors, in an indictment filed last week, allege that Fleming threatened a “mass execution” on social media the day after Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk was assassinated.

The alleged message, posted on September 11 from Fleming’s hometown of Chesterton, Indiana, stated: “Honestly not that surprised I’ll be carrying out the mass execution of my peers in a couple,” according to court documents. The post was reportedly made on Jodel, an app popular among college campuses for anonymous, hyper-local communication.

Authorities claim Fleming altered his IP address to make it appear as though he was on the Naval Academy campus at the time of the post, rather than in Indiana. The threat prompted a lockdown at the Naval Academy, during which two people were injured.

Fleming, who left the Naval Academy midway through his junior year, was indicted on October 8 for “interstate communications with a threat to injure” against the Annapolis, Maryland, school. He was released on a $20,000 bond, and his trial date has not yet been set.

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3 hours ago
Politics

NY GOP Backs Michael Henry Against Indicted, Anti-Trump Letitia James for AG.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Five GOP leaders from New York City endorsed Michael Henry to challenge Letitia James, who is facing a criminal indictment for mortgage fraud, for Attorney General.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Michael Henry, Letitia James, GOP chairs from Brooklyn, Staten Island, Bronx, Queens, and Manhattan.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 14, 2025; New York City.

💬KEY QUOTE: “He understands what New Yorkers are facing and will not bow to political pressure or partisan witch hunts.” – Liam McCabe

🎯IMPACT: Henry aims to leverage the endorsement to strengthen his campaign against James.

IN FULL

The Republican committee chairmen from New York City‘s five boroughs have thrown their support behind Michael Henry, who is preparing to challenge Letitia James for the position of state Attorney General. These endorsements come as Henry attempts to unseat James following his previous attempt in 2022, which saw him fall just 500,000 votes shy of defeating the anti-Trump Democrat.

Brooklyn GOP Chair Liam McCabe praised Henry, stating, “He understands what New Yorkers are facing and will not bow to political pressure or partisan witch hunts.” Henry, a commercial litigator, had garnered 45 percent of the vote in his previous race against James, which McCabe noted was “the best showing for a Republican in decades.”

Henry is capitalizing on the state’s campaign finance matching system to boost his campaign, having around $275,000 in the bank as of June. Staten Island Republican Chair Michael Tannousis emphasized Henry’s approach, saying, “As an attorney and as a leader, he represents the kind of common-sense, law-and-order approach this city and state need.”

Henry has criticized James’ handling of her office, asserting that he would not “weaponize” the law for political purposes. He stated, “New Yorkers deserve an Attorney General who will enforce the law fairly, not weaponize it for politics.” During her tenure as New York’s Attorney General, James pursued a highly partisan lawfare campaign against President Donald J. Trump in an effort to directly interfere in the 2024 election and prevent the America First leader from retaking the White House.

With additional endorsements from gubernatorial candidate Congressswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY)—along with Manhattan GOP Chair Andrea Catsimatidis and Queens GOP Chair Tony Nunziato—Henry is positioning himself as a strong contender in the upcoming election against James, who has been accused by Bronx GOP Chairman Mike Rendino of turning the Attorney General’s Office into a “political weapon.”

The National Pulse previously reported that James is facing a criminal indictment for mortgage fraud. The charges relate to a 2023 mortgage James took out to assist her niece in purchasing a home in Norfolk, Virginia.

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4 hours ago
William Upton
Corruption
Politics

Democrats Under Fire for Accepting Funds from CCP-Linked Businessman.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger are under scrutiny after receiving campaign donations from Pin Ni, a businessman with concerning ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mikie Sherrill, Abigail Spanberger,  Pin Ni, Wanxiang America Corporation, Lu Guanqiu, and Michael Lucci.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Donations were made during the summer of 2025 to Sherrill’s campaign and her supporting super PAC, with a similar campaign contribution being made to Spanberger.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The donor, Pin Ni, has an extensive history of assisting the CCP’s political warfare and influence operations upon the U.S., and of generally aligning with and carrying out party commands.” – Michael Lucci

🎯IMPACT: Raises ethical questions about campaign donations from individuals tied to foreign governments, particularly the Chinese Communist Party.

IN FULL

New Jersey Democratic gubernatorial candidate Representative Mikie Sherrill (D-NJ) and Virginia Democratic gubernatorial candidate Abigail Spanberger are under scrutiny after receiving campaign donations from Pin Ni, a businessman with concerning ties to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP). Pin Ni, president of Wanxiang America Corporation, contributed $60,000 to the One Giant Leap super PAC supporting Sherrill’s campaign and an additional $5,800 directly to her campaign this summer. Meanwhile, the CCP-linked businessman also contributed $50,000 to support Spanberger in Virginia.

Wanxiang America is the U.S. domestic subsidiary of the Chinese automotive conglomerate Wanxiang Group, whose late founder, Lu Guanqiu, was posthumously recognized as a “National Outstanding Communist Party Member.” Notably, political campaigns in the United States are required to accept only contributions from American citizens or permanent legal residents. While Pin Ni’s citizen and residency status is unclear, his overt ties to the economic interests of the CCP raise concerns—especially amid the ongoing and escalating trade dispute between the United States and China.

A 2021 press release highlighted Guanqiu’s “pursuit of communism as a lifelong ideal and practice” and quoted Chinese President Xi Jinping praising his alignment with the CCP’s goals. Guanqiu was also appointed a delegate to multiple high-ranking CCP internal party committees.

Political campaigns in the United States are required to accept only contributions from American citizens or permanent legal residents. While Pin Ni’s status remains unclear, his ties to the CCP have raised concerns. Michael Lucci, founder and CEO of State Armor—a group he founed to to develop and enact state solutions to global security threats—stated, “The donor, Pin Ni, has an extensive history of assisting the CCP’s political warfare and influence operations upon the U.S., and of generally aligning with and carrying out party commands,” calling the acceptance of such donations “disqualifying.”

While Sherrill’s campaign has yet to comment publicly on the donations, Spanberger’s campaign defended her record on national security, stating that she remains focused on issues important to Virginians, including public safety and education. However, her opponent, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears’s campaign, argues, “Taking $50,000 from someone with clear Chinese Communist Party ties tells us all we need to know.”

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5 hours ago
News

This State Wants to Ditch Power Grid Compact Over Spiking Electricity Costs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has suggested the state may leave the PJM Interconnection, the largest regional electricity grid in the U.S., to address rising utility bills.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governor Josh Shapiro, PJM Interconnection, Pennsylvania lawmakers, and residents affected by rising utility costs.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Pennsylvania, with Gov. Shapiro ramping up efforts after comments made last month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If they can’t move quickly, if they can’t reform themselves, we’re going to figure out how to do this on our own.” – Josh Shapiro

🎯IMPACT: Leaving PJM would require significant regulatory approval and could reshape the energy landscape for Pennsylvania and other states considering similar moves.

IN FULL

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro (D) has announced that his state may leave the PJM Interconnection, a 13-state electricity grid network, in response to rising utility bills. The PJM network has been part of Pennsylvania’s energy infrastructure for nearly 70 years, but has recently faced criticism over increased costs and slow progress in adapting to modern energy demands.

Notably, electricity prices have spiked across the country over the past several years, due in large part to rapid expansion in demand for data centers for the artificial intelligence (AI) technology industry and the cryptocurrency sector. “PJM has kind of been a black box for too many years,” Shapiro stated last month. “And as a result of that, they are too darn slow and they are raising costs at really an alarming rate.” He emphasized that Pennsylvania is willing to leave the network if reforms are not implemented quickly, adding that PJM has “months, not years” to address these issues.

The potential departure follows PJM’s latest capacity auction, which projected electricity bill increases between 10 and 20 percent over the next three years for Pennsylvania residents. The rising costs are attributed to growing energy demand, driven in part by new technologies such as artificial intelligence and data centers. PJM estimates peak demand will have increased by 32 gigawatts from 2024 to 2030.

Shapiro highlighted that Pennsylvania has the ability to provide reliable energy at affordable rates but accused PJM of hindering the state’s progress. “If they can’t move quickly, if they can’t reform themselves, we’re going to figure out how to do this on our own,” he stated. PJM, meanwhile, has argued that addressing the evolving energy landscape requires collaboration among states, the industry, and the grid operator.

While Pennsylvania is not alone in considering a departure—New Jersey and Maryland lawmakers are also evaluating leaving the grid—such a move would require significant regulatory approval and pose logistical challenges. Texas, which maintains its own independent grid, illustrates the problems Pennsylvania and other states could face. During severe winter storms—like that which occurred in 2021—and other periods of high demand, Texas’s electrical grid has suffered both brownouts and blackouts, with the state unable to expand capacity by purchasing power from its neighbors during emergencies.

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