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Thursday, December 18, 2025

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1 hour ago
News

Police Thwart Suspected Attack Plot, Arrest 7 Near Bondi Beach.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Heavily armed Australian police detained seven men after receiving intelligence suggesting a potential violent act near Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Australian police, seven detained men, and intelligence services; the men are believed to have possible links to a prior Islamic State-inspired attack.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Arrests occurred on Thursday in southwest Sydney and near Bondi Beach, following a deadly mass shooting last weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned.” – New South Wales Police

🎯IMPACT: Authorities assured the public there is no ongoing risk, though investigations continue into the group’s intentions and potential connections to prior attacks.

IN FULL

Australian police detained seven men on Thursday following intelligence indicating they were planning a “violent act.” The arrests took place in southwest Sydney and near Bondi Beach, the site of a deadly attack last weekend targeting Jews at a Hanukkah celebration.

Authorities stopped a white car traveling from Victoria to Bondi Beach, using tactical operations to detain five men. Videos showed officers in camouflage gear zip-tying the suspects on a Sydney street. A second vehicle was stopped nearby, resulting in two additional arrests.

While police have not disclosed specific details about the arrests, New South Wales police confirmed they acted on intelligence about a potential violent act. “Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned,” officials stated.

The arrests follow a horrific attack last weekend, allegedly carried out by Sajid and Naveed Akram. The father and son are accused of killing 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration. Naveed, who pledged support for ISIS, had been previously investigated for ties to the Islamic State. Authorities say they have, so far, not identified any connection between the deadly Bondi Beach attack and Thursday’s arrests.

Local media reports that a weapon may have been recovered in one of the vehicles, though Australian police have not confirmed this.

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17 minutes ago
Crime

Brown, MIT Shootings Possibly Linked, Investigation Suggests.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Police are investigating a potential connection between a mass shooting at Brown University and the assassination of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, occurring two days apart.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Victims include Brown University students Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook, along with MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are searching for suspects.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Brown University shooting occurred on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island, while the MIT professor was killed on Monday in Brookline, Boston.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This shocking loss for our community comes in a period of disturbing violence in many other places.” – MIT President Sally Kornbluth

🎯IMPACT: The incidents have left communities grieving and sparked an ongoing investigation into potential links between the two crimes.

IN FULL

Authorities are now investigating a potential connection between the mass shooting at Brown University and the assassination of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Professor Nuno Loureiro, which occurred two days apart. The Brown University shooting, which took place on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island, resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to 12 others.

The victims, Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook, were killed during a study session at the Ivy League university’s School of Engineering Barus and Holley Building. The gunman fired 40 rounds before fleeing the scene. Two days later, Professor Loureiro was gunned down inside his Brookline, Boston home around 8:30 PM. Loureiro, a married father of three and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was remembered as a “wonderful man” by his neighbors and colleagues.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents have released photographs and videos of persons of interest in the Brown University case, but have yet to identify a suspect. Meanwhile, Loureiro’s murder has left the academic community mourning. MIT President Sally Kornbluth stated, “This shocking loss for our community comes in a period of disturbing violence in many other places.”

The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office confirmed that no arrests have been made in either case, describing the investigation as “active and ongoing.” Investigators initially stated there was no connection between the two incidents, but new information reported by WPRI on Thursday suggests a possible link. The outlet did not provide further details on the nature of the connection.

Loureiro, a lauded theoretical physicist and fusion scientist, began his academic career in Portugal before earning his doctorate at Imperial College London. He later worked at Princeton and the UK Atomic Energy Authority before joining MIT in 2024.

Image by Bohao Zhao.

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By Popular Demand.
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39 minutes ago
Health

Trump Expands Medical Marijuana and CBD Research, Orders DOJ to Expedite Cannabis Reclassification.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to improve medical marijuana and cannabidiol research.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Congress.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Signed Thursday, December 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This move was requested by patients suffering from various conditions, including veterans, but recreational use remains unsafe.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Executive Order aims to improve research, access, and guidance for medical marijuana and CBD products.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Thursday removing federal legal hurdles to medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) research, which will allow patients and healthcare providers to be better informed about alternative treatment options. Under the order, the Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are tasked with expediting the reclassification of marijuana as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Additionally, President Trump’s directive calls for greater White House cooperation with Congress to enact legislation ensuring Americans can access appropriate, full-spectrum CBD products while restricting items that pose health risks. Trump is also tasking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to begin developing research methods and models to enhance access to hemp-derived cannabinoid products as allowable under federal law.

“This move was requested by patients suffering from various conditions, including veterans, but recreational use remains unsafe,” President Trump remarked after signing the Executive Order at the White House.

Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, which is defined as having no accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse, and a lack of safety under medical supervision. The rescheduling to Schedule III aligns with a 2023 HHS recommendation that acknowledges marijuana’s medical utility. The reclassification will help facilitate research into its safety and efficacy, addressing the needs of the over six million registered medical marijuana patients in the U.S.

Hemp-derived CBD products, while not controlled under the CSA, face regulatory challenges that limit consistency and consumer protections. Studies indicate that CBD has potential benefits for managing chronic pain and other conditions, but the lack of clear Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines leaves patients and doctors without sufficient information for safe use.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Culture
News

Kennedy Center Renamed Trump Kennedy Center Following Unanimous Board Decision.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees has voted to rename the institution as The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Board of Trustees and the current Chairman.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Today, at the Trump Kennedy Center.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction.” – Trump Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi

🎯IMPACT: The new name reflects bipartisan support for the cultural center.

IN FULL

The Board of Trustees for the Kennedy Center has unanimously voted to change the venue’s name to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The renaming highlights the contributions of President Trump, in his role as Chairman of the Kennedy Center, in addressing the center’s prior financial challenges and protecting it from structural harm.

Notably, Trump and President and Executive Director Richard “Ric” Grenell have nearly doubled the cultural institution’s fundraising since 2024. The America First leader has also pledged to bring the center “back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment,” stating in August, “It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!”

Roma Daravi, the Trump Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, noted, “The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction.”

President Trump recently hosted an official, on-camera Kennedy Center Honors ceremony at the Oval Office, recognizing honorees including singer Gloria Gaynor and action movie star Sylvester Stallone.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News

Vanity Fair WH Writer is Registered Dem With Creepy Social Media History.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple has been revealed as a highly partisan registered Democrat with a dubious social media history involving young women.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chris Whipple, Vanity Fair.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Various social media posts from 2016 to 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: Whipple has called President Trump a “Deathstar” and claimed he “diminishes and tarnishes everybody around him.”

🎯IMPACT: Whipple’s biases and social media activity raise questions about his objectivity in reporting and character.

IN FULL

Chris Whipple, a writer for Vanity Fair who has been accused of disingenuous reporting on the Trump White House in recent days, has come under scrutiny for his partisan political affiliations and questionable social media activity involving young women, including some who sell pornography online.

One of the young women Whipple follows on Instagram.

Whipple is a registered Democrat who has contributed over $2,700 to Democrat candidates and committees, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records. His social media history reveals a strong bias against President Donald J. Trump, whom he has described as a “Deathstar” and someone who “diminishes and tarnishes everybody around him.”

Whipple has also argued that Trump “doesn’t understand the job” of being President and attempted to blame him for former President Joe Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. He lamented Biden’s “abdication” from the 2024 presidential race as a “tragedy.”

Whipple, a married man advanced in years, also boasts several controversial follows on Instagram. These include Julie Sunx, a small-time OnlyFans prostitute, female bodybuilder Jojo Lee, and various young women who post risqué images. He also appears to follow an under-18 ballet dancer who does not follow him back.

Julie Sunx, a small-time Only Fans pornographer followed by Whipple.

His Instagram account also shows him praising Democrats, such as New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is responsible for a sustained lawfare campaign against President Trump, and cheering for failed Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz at a political rally.

The revelations about Whipple’s political donations and his social media interactions raise questions about his ability to provide reliable and unbiased reporting, particularly given his history of derogatory comments about Trump and his administration.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News
TECH

Trump Media Sets $6 Billion Merger with Nuclear Fusion Innovator.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) announced a $6 billion merger with TAE Technologies to combine social media operations with nuclear fusion energy development.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: TMTG, led by Devin Nunes, and TAE Technologies, backed by Google and Chevron.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The merger is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with plans to begin building a fusion power plant next year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Fusion power will be the most dramatic energy breakthrough since the onset of commercial nuclear energy in the 1950s—an innovation that will lower energy prices, boost supply, ensure America’s A.I.-supremacy, revive our manufacturing base, and bolster national defense.” – Devin Nunes

🎯IMPACT: The merger aims to address growing energy demands from AI technologies and establish U.S. dominance in clean energy innovation.

IN FULL

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the company behind President Donald J. Trump’s Truth Social platform, has revealed plans for a merger with TAE Technologies, a leading nuclear fusion energy developer, in an all-stock transaction valued at more than $6 billion. The deal aims to integrate TMTG’s social media platform with TAE’s advanced fusion research, with the combined company targeting a 2026 start to construction of a utility-scale fusion power plant.

Upon completion, shareholders of each firm will hold approximately 50 percent of the new entity on a fully diluted basis. TAE Technologies, supported by investors including Google and Chevron, works on affordable, clean fusion energy solutions to support surging power needs from artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

TMTG CEO Devin Nunes underscored the deal’s potential, saying, “Trump Media & Technology Group built uncancellable infrastructure to secure free expression online for Americans, and now we’re taking a big step forward toward a revolutionary technology that will cement America’s global energy dominance for generations.” He further noted that fusion could significantly reduce energy prices while enhancing national security.

The boards of both companies have approved the agreement, with closure anticipated in mid-2026. Nunes will co-lead the merged company as co-CEO with TAE’s Michl Binderbauer. The partnership targets the technology sector’s growing need for sustainable, reliable power amid rapid AI development.

Wedbush tech analyst Dan Ives observed that the merger establishes TMTG as a prominent force in fusion energy, commenting, “TAE will also clearly have major political support from President Trump in our view, and this importantly will create a major nuclear fusion US energy domestic bet over the coming years.”

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Admin Intensifies Efforts to Revoke Citizenship in Fraud Cases.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is reportedly planning to increase denaturalization cases, targeting foreign-born Americans who committed fraud during the citizenship process.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and naturalized U.S. citizens.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The guidance reportedly sets monthly quotas for 2026, with actions taking place nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We will pursue denaturalization proceedings for those individuals lying or misrepresenting themselves during the naturalization process.” – Matthew Tragesser, USCIS spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: A concerted denaturalization effort could discourage foreigners from attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship through illegitimate means.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is preparing a significant expansion of denaturalization efforts, seeking to revoke U.S. citizenship from foreign-born Americans who commit fraud during the naturalization process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been instructed to provide the Office of Immigration Litigation with between 100 and 200 denaturalization cases per month by 2026, a dramatic increase from historical levels.

Denaturalization has long been an uncommon legal action. Fewer than 200 cases were filed over the past eight years, and between 1990 and 2017, the federal government averaged roughly 11 cases annually, according to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. The new targets would represent a sharp escalation as part of President Donald J. Trump’s broader immigration enforcement agenda.

Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesman, defended the initiative, saying, “We will pursue denaturalization proceedings for those individuals lying or misrepresenting themselves during the naturalization process. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Justice to restore integrity to America’s immigration system.”

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued guidance directing attorneys to prioritize denaturalization cases involving alleged national security threats, serious criminal conduct, or material misrepresentations during the citizenship process. Pro-migrant organizations complain that the broad criteria could expand enforcement beyond traditionally narrow fraud cases. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that approximately 26 million people in the United States are naturalized citizens, with about 800,000 gaining citizenship in the past year alone.

The push aligns with other recent actions by the Trump administration aimed at tightening access to citizenship. The administration has also moved to deny visas to foreign nationals suspected of traveling to the United States to exploit birthright citizenship laws and has strengthened screening to prevent abuse of the system.

In addition, Trump has ordered changes to make the citizenship test more rigorous, emphasizing civic knowledge and English proficiency.

Image by Gulbenk.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News

Plane Crashes in Fireball on Runway, NASCAR Legend Feared Dead.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, with reports of fatalities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Local authorities, including the Iredell County Sheriff and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are investigating.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crash occurred at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina at approximately 10:15 AM local time.

🎯IMPACT: An investigation is underway, and reports of fatalities have been confirmed by local news outlets. The aircraft is owned by NASCAR legend Greg Biffle.

IN FULL

A private plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport outside Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier today, resulting in reports of fatalities. The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 AM local time, according to airport officials.

The Iredell County Sheriff confirmed the crash to local news outlet WBTV. While the exact number of people aboard the aircraft is not yet known, images from the scene depict a significant fireball erupting at the crash site. However, flight tracking data suggests the plane was a 1981 Cessna Citation II with the tail number “N257BW.” This aircraft is owned by semi-retired NASCAR legend Greg “The Biff” Biffle, and unconfirmed local reports suggest he was on board with his wife and children.

Notably, Biffle flew volunteer search and rescue missions and delivered aid using his private helicopter in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. He was also known to engage in similar life-saving efforts in the wake of local flooding and other natural disasters in the region.

A video shared on social media shows smoke visible for miles following the crash. Additionally, the Statesville Regional Airport has confirmed the crash and stated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead the investigation into the incident.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Immigration
News

Islamic ‘City Center’ Proposed Near Liquid Chlorine Infrastructure.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A proposal for an Islamic city center in Carrollton, Texas, near critical liquid chlorine infrastructure, was unanimously rejected by the Planning & Zoning Committee.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Madinah Masjid, Carrollton Planning & Zoning Committee, and local residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 2025 in Carrollton, Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “A school only providing education for a specific demographic of people would be a negative impact on the city and students.” – Public school teacher testimony.

🎯IMPACT: Madinah Masjid has 10 days to appeal the decision to the Carrollton City Council.

IN FULL

A development proposal for an Islamic city center in Carrollton, Texas, has been met with opposition from local residents. The proposal, put forth by the Madinah Masjid Mosque and Islamic Center, included plans for a three-storey school, retail offices, a gymnasium, and a funeral home.

The proposed site is situated near a City of Dallas water treatment facility and approximately 400 feet from rail cars storing large quantities of liquid chlorine, which are considered sensitive critical infrastructure. During a meeting held on December 4, concerns were raised about the proximity of the development to the rail line, which transports railcars each containing 180,000 pounds of liquid chlorine.

The committee questioned the necessity of a new school, given that the Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD recently approved the closure of four schools this year. A public school teacher testified that a school serving only Muslims could negatively impact the community.

Ultimately, the Planning & Zoning Committee voted unanimously against the proposal. Madinah Masjid now has a 10-day window to appeal the decision to the Carrollton City Council.

These moves follow similar efforts to establish a large Muslim settlement, the EPIC City, in Texas. The developers of this project are now being pursued by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who believes they “flagrantly and undeniably violated the law” while attempting to advance the scheme.

Nevertheless, efforts to establish EPIC City are proceeding, with the settlement rebranded as “The Meadow.”

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
News

California Rattled by Earthquake Swarms, 72% Chance of Major Quake by 2043.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: California experienced a series of earthquake swarms, with the most recent being a 3.1-magnitude quake near San Ramon.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) and researchers like Dr. Annemarie Baltay and Dr. Sarah Minson provided analysis.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The swarms began in early November 2025 and have been concentrated near San Ramon, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There is a 72 percent chance of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake occurring anywhere in the Bay Area between now and 2043.” – Dr. Annemarie Baltay

🎯IMPACT: While experts downplay immediate concerns, they emphasize the importance of preparedness for a potential major earthquake in the future.

IN FULL

California has been experiencing a series of earthquake swarms over the past month, with the most recent being a 3.1-magnitude quake near San Ramon early Tuesday morning. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), this tremor followed a dozen smaller quakes ranging from 1.1 to 1.6 in magnitude.

The region has recorded at least 21 earthquakes between magnitudes 2.9 and 4.0 in the last two months, with over 90 smaller tremors in the past month alone. Despite the frequency of these events, most have been too minor to cause any damage. The seismic activity has raised concerns among residents about a potential larger quake, though experts have reassured that these small tremors do not necessarily indicate an imminent major event.

Dr. Annemarie Baltay, a USGS research geophysicist, stated, “These small events, as all small events are, are not indicative of an impending large earthquake.” However, she warned of the long-term risk, noting, “There is a 72 percent chance of a magnitude 6.7 or larger earthquake occurring anywhere in the Bay Area between now and 2043.”

San Ramon lies on the Calaveras Fault, a complex fault system capable of producing significant earthquakes. Researchers have suggested that underground fluids moving through small, interconnected fractures may be causing these clusters of minor quakes. Similar patterns of seismic swarms have been observed in the area in previous years, with no major earthquakes following.

Dr. Sarah Minson of the USGS‘s Earthquake Science Center added, “This has happened many times before here in the past, and there were no big earthquakes that followed. We think that this place keeps having earthquake swarms due to a lot of fluid-filled cracks, thanks to very complex fault geometry.”

Image by Ray Bouknight.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
Health

RFK Jr., Dr. Oz Push for Ban on Medically Transitioning Children.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is set to announce measures that would effectively restrict so-called “gender-affirming care” for minors.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Marty Makary, and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya are leading the announcements.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement is scheduled for Thursday at 11:00 AM at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) headquarters.

🎯IMPACT: The proposed measures could drastically limit access to gender transition procedures for minors and impact hospitals nationwide that rely on federal funding.

IN FULL

The Trump administration could announce new medical guidance as soon as Thursday that would place significant restrictions on so-called “gender-affirming care” for children. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. will lead the announcement at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) headquarters, joined by Dr. Mehmet Oz, Dr. Marty Makary, and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya.

Among the measures are proposed rules that would prevent doctors and hospitals from receiving federal Medicaid reimbursements for providing transgender surgical procedures and hormone treatments to patients under 18. Additionally, hospitals offering pediatric “gender-affirming care” would be ineligible for Medicaid and Medicare funding. These programs are critical to the financial operations of nearly all hospitals in the United States.

The announcement follows legislative action in the House of Representatives. On Wednesday, Republicans passed a health care package that included a bill by Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) barring transgender procedures for minors, with penalties of up to 10 years in prison. Another bill by Rep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX) seeks to prohibit Medicaid reimbursement for such care and is slated for a vote on Thursday.

Currently, 27 states have already banned gender transition procedures for minors. The proposed rules will undergo a public comment period before being finalized.

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By Popular Demand.
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