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January 5, 2026
News

Maduro Makes First Appearance Before U.S. Court.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, captured by U.S. forces over the weekend, is set to appear before a federal court on Monday, facing charges related to narco-terrorism.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Nicolas Maduro, his wife Cilia Flores, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ), and U.S. District Court Judge Alvin Hellerstein.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 5, 2026, at a federal court in New York City.

💬KEY QUOTE: The Justice Department says Maduro “abused their positions of public trust and corrupted once-legitimate institutions.”

🎯IMPACT: Maduro faces charges that include narco-terrorism conspiracy and cocaine importation conspiracy.

IN FULL

Nicolás Maduro, the dictator of Venezuela captured by U.S. forces over the weekend, is making his first appearance at a U.S. federal court in New York City. The Marxist is facing charges related to narco-terrorism.

He and his wife, Cilia Flores, were taken to the courthouse by helicopter and a convoy of five vehicles. Streets leading to the courthouse were blocked off by police to ensure security.

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment against Maduro alleges a long-standing pattern of corruption and drug trafficking, stating that he and other Venezuelan officials “abused their positions of public trust.” They are accused of importing tons of cocaine into the United States.

The indictment further claims that Maduro provided support to major drug trafficking groups in Latin America, including selling Venezuelan diplomatic passports to known traffickers and facilitating flights under diplomatic cover to transport drug proceeds back to Venezuela.

Maduro faces multiple charges, including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, possession of machine guns and destructive devices, and conspiracy to possess such weapons.

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By Popular Demand.
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6 hours ago
News
World

British and American Jets Stalk Venezuelan Oil Tanker Flying Russian Colors.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: NATO forces and multiple nations are tracking an oil tanker, the Bella 1, which is evading a U.S. blockade on Venezuela by disguising itself as a Russian vessel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The United States, United Kingdom, France, Ireland, NATO forces, and the Venezuelan “shadow fleet” are key players in the operation. Russia has also become involved, claiming the vessel as its own.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The tanker is 250 miles off the coast of Ireland, and the operation to monitor it has intensified over recent days.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” said President Donald J. Trump on Truth Social.

🎯IMPACT: The situation raises tensions between the U.S. and Russia, with potential escalations if the U.S. attempts to seize the vessel, which is part of Venezuela’s sanctioned oil fleet.

IN FULL

NATO forces and several national militaries, including those of the United States, Britain, France, and Ireland, are closely monitoring an oil tanker linked to Venezuela that is attempting to evade a U.S. naval blockade. The vessel, formerly known as the Bella 1, has been renamed the Marinera and is now sailing under a Russian flag as part of what U.S. officials describe as Venezuela’s “shadow fleet” of sanctioned oil tankers.

The tanker was last reported roughly 250 miles off Ireland’s west coast, where surveillance aircraft from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and Ireland have been tracking its movements. According to intelligence sources cited by British media, the vessel fled the Caribbean last month to avoid capture by U.S. forces enforcing sanctions on Venezuelan oil exports. U.S. officials are said to be weighing whether to seize the ship, following a recent operation in which another Venezuelan tanker, the Skipper, was intercepted.

The ship is now listed in the Russian Maritime Register of Shipping and registered out of Sochi, Russia. Moscow has formally demanded that Washington halt any attempt to seize the vessel, a move that has heightened tensions between the two countries. Western intelligence agencies believe the tanker previously transported more than six million barrels of Iranian oil, frequently conducting ship-to-ship transfers at sea to obscure the origin and destination of its cargo.

The pursuit of the Bella 1 comes amid an expanded U.S. campaign targeting Venezuela’s sanctioned oil trade. President Donald J. Trump announced what he called a “total and complete” blockade of Venezuelan oil tankers, warning of escalating pressure on Caracas. “Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled in the History of South America,” he said, and added, “It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before.”

Since the blockade order, U.S. authorities have moved against multiple tankers tied to Venezuelan and Iranian oil shipments, signaling a broader effort to disrupt maritime networks used to bypass sanctions. U.S. forces have also captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolas Maduro and taken him to New York to face trial on drug trafficking and narco-terrorism charges.

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6 hours ago
Crime
News

Police in This Dem City Are Being Told Not to Arrest Drug Abusers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Seattle’s new mayor faces backlash after an internal police email revealed most drug possession and public use cases are being diverted to programs rather than prosecuted.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mayor Katie Wilson (D), Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan, and nonprofit executive Andrea Suarez.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 2026 in Seattle, Washington.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The recent naive, ignorant political decision to not arrest offenders for open drug use in the City of Seattle is horrifically dangerous and will create more death and societal decay.” – Mike Solan

🎯IMPACT: Critics argue the diversion policy undermines accountability in a city where open drug use is already common.

IN FULL

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson (D) is facing backlash after an internal Seattle Police Department email revealed that most cases involving drug possession and public use will be steered toward so-called diversion programs instead of prosecution. The email, circulated by Seattle Police Chief Shon Barnes, instructed officers that eligible drug possession and use cases should be referred to the Law Enforcement Assisted Diversion (LEAD) program in accordance with guidance from the City Attorney’s Office. The message quickly drew criticism from officers and community advocates who argue the approach reinforces open drug abuse across the city.

Seattle Police Officers Guild President Mike Solan sharply criticized the approach, calling it “dangerous” and reflective of a “naïve political approach to addiction.” He warned that it risks increasing crime and overdose deaths and described the strategy as “suicidal empathy.” Solan added that some officers avoid LEAD referrals altogether, viewing the program as ineffective and driven more by ideology than results.

“The recent naive, ignorant political decision to not arrest offenders for open drug use in the City of Seattle is horrifically dangerous and will create more death and societal decay,” he said.

Andrea Suarez, executive director of the nonprofit We Heart Seattle, echoed those concerns, arguing that tolerating open drug use in public spaces only deepens addiction and accelerates harm. She said enforcement is often the catalyst that pushes individuals toward treatment and recovery.

Seattle’s debate mirrors a growing national divide over how to handle public drug use. Last year, President Donald J. Trump moved to shut down city-sanctioned drug sites in New York City, arguing that government-approved drug dens normalize illegal behavior rather than address addiction.

Image by zeraien.

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7 hours ago
Politics

Trump Warns Republicans: Win Midterms or ‘I’ll Get Impeached’ Again.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump warns that Democrats will likely attempt to impeach him again if Republicans do not retain Congress in the upcoming midterm elections.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, House Republicans, and House Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 6, 2026, at a House Republican policy retreat.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just going to be—I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: A Democrat-controlled Congress will likely use subpoena power and impeachment hearings to aid their Deep State allies in reasserting control within the federal bureaucracy and derail President Trump’s political agenda on Capitol Hill.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump, speaking at the House Republican policy retreat on Tuesday, emphasized the importance of retaining the party’s congressional majority in the 2026 midterm elections to prevent a likely third Democrat-led impeachment effort aimed at paralyzing his administration and halting his legislative agenda. “You got to win the midterms, because if we don’t win the midterms, it’s just going to be—I mean, they’ll find a reason to impeach me,” Trump said, before reiterating: “I’ll get impeached.”

The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam has warned that a potential Democrat-controlled Congress will use subpoena power and impeachment hearings to aid their Deep State allies in reasserting control within the federal bureaucracy. Notably, Kassam contends that congressional Democrat lawfare aimed at crippling the Trump administration will likely have global implications extending beyond the United States.

“If Republicans lose badly next year, the final two Trump years will be punctuated by subpoenas, impeachments, and other deep state shenanigans that would leave so much of the world teetering on the brink of domination by America’s adversaries,” Kassam wrote last November. Earlier in July, The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief noted that Democrats are likely to use issues like the Epstein Files as grounds for impeachment proceedings.

To win back key voters in the MAGA base, Kassam argues that the President “must quickly return to his own populist roots and campaign pledges, rather than entertaining the Big Pharma or Big Bank bosses, and floating non-starter ideas like 50-year mortgages.”

“The problem is, as with any administration, major corporate interests are getting the better of some of my friends who themselves know better. And they better figure out a way to navigate these treacherous waters, soon. The midterms are closer than you think,” Kassam warns.

Voter sentiment regarding the U.S. economy remains a challenge for the administration. Polling data indicates a significant number of voters continue to believe the country is heading in the wrong direction economically. Despite sagging approval ratings, the Trump White House insists that the economy and job market will take off over the coming months, bolstering voter support for Republican congressional candidates.

Meanwhile, House Democrats appear to be jettisoning their past support for the ouster of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro in order to use President Trump’s authorization of a military operation resulting in the Marxist autocrat’s capture and arraignment on narco-terrorism charges in the U.S. as another potential avenue to justify impeachment hearings.

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8 hours ago
News
Politics

George Conway Finally Defects to Democrats, Announces Run for Congress.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: George Conway, a former Republican and fanatical Trump critic, announced his run for Congress as a Democrat in New York’s 12th congressional district.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: George Conway, the former husband of Kellyanne Conway, and various other candidates running for the seat.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Conway announced his campaign on January 6, aiming to represent New York’s 12th congressional district.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I fought Trump publicly in every way I could, and I paid a price.” – George Conway

🎯IMPACT: Conway joins a crowded field for the Manhattan seat, with at least nine candidates vying for the position.

IN FULL

George Conway, a Trump-hating lawyer best known for his fanatical opposition to President Donald J. Trump, announced Tuesday that he is running for Congress as a Democrat in New York’s 12th congressional district. The Manhattan-based seat is open following the planned retirement of longtime Democratic Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-NY) and has drawn a crowded field of candidates.

In a campaign announcement video, Conway framed his bid as a direct response to President Trump and the America First movement surrounding him. “I don’t like what [Trump] has done to our great country,” Conway said. “And now I’m running for Congress to take the fight directly back to him on your behalf, on the behalf of New Yorkers to whom I owe so much—to protect the fundamental rights and basic economic needs of all New Yorkers.”

Conway is a former Republican who rose to national prominence as part of the anti-Trump movement within the GOP. Early in Trump’s first term, Conway was reportedly considered for the role of U.S. solicitor general, as his then-wife, Kellyanne Conway, served as a senior adviser in the White House. Over time, George Conway became increasingly critical of Trump, while Kellyanne Conway remained an ally of the president.

He later helped found the disgraced Lincoln Project, an anti-Trump political organization that gained attention for aggressive advertising campaigns targeting Trump and his allies. Conway has repeatedly emphasized his public opposition to Trump as a defining feature of his political identity. “I fought Trump publicly in every way I could, and I paid a price,” he said in the video. “I’ll never regret standing up to Trump.”

Conway has a history of making crass attacks against President Trump and his MAGA allies, for instance by likening Turning Point USA (TPUSA) founder Charlie Kirk to a “[N]azi stormtrooper” following his assassination last year. Conway has also had a hand in lawfare against Trump, including the bizarre E. Jean Carroll case, with Carroll specifically crediting Conway for convincing her to take up the case when her book was not selling.

The Democratic primary for the 12th district includes several high-profile contenders, among them Jack Schlossberg, the grandson of President John F. Kennedy, and New York State Assembly members Alex Bores and Micah Lasher. The district is considered safely Democratic, making the primary the decisive contest.

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8 hours ago
News

‘So Unpresidential’ — Trump Jokes About the Two Things Melania ‘Hates’ About His Rallies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump spoke about First Lady Melania Trump’s disapproval of his public dancing and weightlifting impressions during an address.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Melania Trump, and Republican lawmakers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 6, 2026, at the Kennedy Center during the House GOP Member Retreat.

💬KEY QUOTE: “My wife hates when I do this,” Trump said, referring to his dancing.

🎯IMPACT: Trump’s remarks highlighted the first lady’s perspective on presidential conduct and entertained his audience.

IN FULL

During an address at the House GOP Member Retreat, President Donald J. Trump revealed that First Lady Melania Trump disapproves of his iconic public dance moves, calling them “unpresidential.” “My wife hates when I do this,” the President said, referencing the moves that have become a staple at his rallies.

Trump recounted that Melania, whom he described as “a very classy person,” has often said of his dance routine, “It’s so unpresidential”—with the America First leader defending himself by pointing out, “But I did become President.”

Trump said he has told her that his supporters like his dancing, but that the First Lady argues, “They don’t like it. They’re just being nice to you.”

“She actually said, ‘Could you imagine FDR dancing?’” he told retreat attendees, laughing, “There’s a long history that perhaps she doesn’t know”—likely in reference to the fact that the late President Franklin Delano Roosevelt was disabled.

The First Lady also strongly disapproves of the President’s well-known weightlifter impersonation, used to highlight the absurdity of allowing male transgenders to compete in women’s sports. He revealed she told him, “Darling, please, the weightlifting is terrible.”

Regardless, Trump concluded his speech to the retreat by dancing to YMCA.

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9 hours ago
Politics

This Hotel Is Facing Consequences for Banning DHS Agents.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, the U.S. subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide, has severed ties with a Minnesota hotel accused of canceling Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents’ reservations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Everpeak Hospitality, Hampton Inn Lakeville Minneapolis, and DHS agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Minneapolis, Minnesota; with DHS revealing the reservation cancellation on Monday, January 5, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The independent hotel owner had assured us that they had fixed this problem and published a message confirming this. A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values. As such, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems.” — Hilton Hotels & Resorts

🎯IMPACT: Hilton terminated the hotel’s franchise after public backlash and video evidence indicating the hotel was continuing to bar DHS agents contrary to its public statements claiming otherwise.

IN FULL

Hotel giant Hilton has officially ended its relationship with a Minnesota hotel property accused of canceling reservations made by Department of Homeland Security (DHS) agents. The controversy began late Monday when DHS officials alleged the Hampton Inn Lakeville Minneapolis refused to honor room reservations made by federal agents, citing emails from hotel representatives explicitly stating, “We are not allowing any ICE or immigration agents to stay at our property.”

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), DHS accused Hilton—which has a franchise relationship with Everpeak Hospitality, the owner and operator of the Hampton Inn Lakeville Minneapolis—of engaging in a “coordinated campaign” to block DHS employees from booking rooms. “When officers attempted to book rooms using official government emails and rates, Hilton Hotels maliciously CANCELLED their reservations,” the department said, adding: “This is UNACCEPTABLE. Why is Hilton Hotels siding with murderers and rapists to deliberately undermine and impede DHS law enforcement from their mission to enforce our nation’s immigration laws?”

Hilton Hotels & Resorts—the U.S. subsidiary of Hilton Worldwide—quickly tried to distance itself from the property, responding late Monday that the “hotel is independently owned and operated, and these actions were not reflective of Hilton values.” By Tuesday, Hilton announced it was severing ties with the franchise, stating, “The independent hotel owner had assured us that they had fixed this problem and published a message confirming this. A recent video clearly raises concerns that they are not meeting our standards and values. As such, we are taking immediate action to remove this hotel from our systems.”

While Everpeak Hospitality initially said the hotel’s decision to bar federal agents from its premises was “inconsistent” with company policies, and pledged to reach out to those impacted by the issue to reach a resolution, a video posted on Tuesday to social media by independent journalist Nick Sortor appeared to show hotel employees still enforcing the ban on DHS agents as of 10:50 PM on Monday.

“Hilton’s operator, Everpeak, STRAIGHT UP LIED in their statement yesterday which said they were ‘in touch’ with DHS to accommodate impacted agents, and ‘do not discriminate against any individuals or agencies,'” Sortor wrote, adding: “NONE of that was true. Even the FRONT DESK manager said he had spoken with the owner shortly before I walked in around 10:50 PM, and confirmed the ANTI-DHS POLICY REMAINED IN EFFECT.”

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10 hours ago
Crime
Data

Police Fatalities Fall to Lowest Level Since WWII.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The number of U.S. law enforcement officers killed in the line of duty has fallen to its lowest level since World War II, according to a new report released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund and Bill Alexander, the Fund’s CEO, provided the data and analysis.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report, covering 2025, was released on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Even one officer fatality is too many, and our ultimate goal is to have none. But we’re heartened by any decrease in those numbers.” – Bill Alexander

🎯IMPACT: The data shows a significant reduction in line-of-duty deaths, including firearm-related fatalities and traffic-related deaths, amid the Trump administration’s use of National Guard troops in several major U.S. cities to bolster local law enforcement and crack down on violent crime.

IN FULL

New data shows that annual U.S. law enforcement fatalities while in the line of duty drastically fell last year, reaching a low not seen in over 80 years. According to a report released by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF) on Tuesday, the total number of line-of-duty deaths dropped from 148 in 2024 to 111 in 2025, with decreases seen across every fatality type tracked by the organization.

Notably, the last time annual law enforcement fatalities were as low as 2025 was in 1943. Ninety-four police officers were killed in the line of duty that year. The NLEOMF data reveals that firearm-related officer deaths declined by 15 percent last year to 44 recorded fatalities, compared to 52 in 2024. This is the lowest rate in over a decade, according to NLEOMF’s historical records.

“I always like to see that firearm deaths are down. They are the tip of the spear for egregious acts,” said Bill Alexander, the NLEOMF’s chief executive officer. He added, “Even one officer fatality is too many, and our ultimate goal is to have none. But we’re heartened by any decrease in those numbers.”

Meanwhile, the report shows traffic-related deaths declined by 23 percent in 2025, and fatalities categorized as “other”—including medical emergencies, stabbings, drownings, and aviation accidents—dropped by 37 percent, from 52 to 33 year-to-year. This number includes 14 law enforcement officers who died from long-term medical complications stemming from the 9/11 terrorist attacks 25 years ago.

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10 hours ago
Economy
Immigration

This Texas Republican Wants Trump to Let Illegals Take Jobs from American Workers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Republican House member from Texas is reviving pro-open border policy efforts to convince the Trump administration to adopt legal avenues for illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. construction industry.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX), the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL), and South Texas construction industry leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: De La Cruz discussed her plan to lobby the Trump White House with the South Texas Builders Association and Texas construction industry leaders during a closed-door meeting on Monday, January 5, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “At the end of the day, I want to represent South Texas, and I want to represent our community and make sure that we continue to be prosperous.” – Monica De La Cruz

🎯IMPACT: Border security and immigration enforcement advocates contend De La Cruz’s push to create a new legal avenue for the hiring of cheap, illegal immigrant labor is little more than political cronyism on behalf of corporate interests seeking to drive down wage costs.

IN FULL

Representative Monica De La Cruz (R-TX) is launching a renewed effort lobbying the Trump administration to adopt a new legal pathway for illegal immigrants to work in the U.S. construction industry. During a closed-door meeting on Monday with South Texas builders and construction executives, De La Cruz announced plans to meet with officials from the U.S. Department of Labor (DOL) in response to local industry claims of a worker shortage due to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) actions at construction sites.

The Texas Republican lawmaker is proposing a plan that would create a new visa program, similar to the existing H-2A agricultural worker visa program, specifically for construction workers, as a means of addressing the alleged labor shortage. “At the end of the day, I want to represent South Texas, and I want to represent our community and make sure that we continue to be prosperous,” De La Cruz reportedly said at the meeting, hosted by the South Texas Builders Association.

Notably, De La Cruz’s visa program is being inserted into Representative Maria Salazar’s (R-FL) Dignity Act legislation, which would provide multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Additionally, the bill revives former President Joe Biden’s “Labor Neighbors” program and George W. Bush’s 2001 “Any Willing Worker” plan, both of which open the door to an unlimited influx of cheap, immigrant workers.

Despite Rep. Salazar’s assertion that the Dignity Act is not an amnesty bill, provisions in the legislation would offer legal status to various immigrant populations, including migrants who have illegally voted in federal elections. House Republicans have largely declined to support Salazar’s proposal, although it has drawn significant backing from House Democrats.

The National Pulse reported in November 2024 that former Clinton administration Treasury Secretary Larry Summers tacitly admitted U.S. lawmakers and government officials tolerate illegal immigration because it suppresses the wages of American workers—a stance supported by numerous corporate interests. Even the pro-globalist Wall Street Journal has acknowledged that overreliance on cheap, foreign labor dissuades industries from becoming more efficient and innovative—ultimately preventing the economy from expanding at a significant pace.

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11 hours ago
News

80-Year-Old GOP Congressman and Wife Hospitalized After Hit-And-Run Crash.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN) and his wife were hospitalized following a car crash on Monday night.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Indiana Rep. Jim Baird, his wife, and House Republicans.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The collision occurred on Monday, January 5, with Baird’s hospitalization announced on Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They’re going to be OK, but they had a pretty bad accident.” – President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Baird’s absence complicates House GOP’s razor-thin majority for legislative votes, especially following the death of Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA) on Monday.

IN FULL

Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN), 80, and his wife have been hospitalized following a car crash. Baird, who represents Indiana‘s 4th congressional district, is currently in stable condition and responsive, according to his son, Beau Baird, a state lawmaker in Indiana.

“Many of you have likely heard by now that Congressman Jim Baird’s vehicle was struck last night while he was driving back to Washington to continue his work for Hoosiers. My mom was with him at the time. I’m grateful to share that they are both safe, stable, and in good spirits,” Beau Baird wrote in a post on social media regarding the car accident and the condition of his father and mother. He added, “Anyone who knows my dad knows his determination runs deep, and he’s already joking about getting back to the House floor to vote, especially with margins this tight.”

The congressman’s son also revealed that the accident was a hit-and-run, stating, “Several people have asked whether this was politically motivated. At this time, there is no information to suggest that, and we sincerely hope that is not the case. Because this was a hit-and-run, law enforcement is actively investigating and trying to find the vehicle that struck them.”

Baird has served in Congress since 2019, representing a largely rural district with a significant agricultural industry presence. Prior to serving in Congress, he was a member of the Indiana House of Representatives from 2010 to 2018, and a Putnam County commissioner from 2006 to 2010.

President Donald J. Trump addressed the situation during remarks at the House Republican policy retreat, stating, “They’re going to be OK, but they had a pretty bad accident.” Trump also paid tribute to the late Rep. Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), who passed away on Monday.

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) noted that Baird might be dealing with a spinal injury resulting from the crash. The GOP already faces challenges with a 218-213 majority, and Baird’s absence, along with the unexpected passing of the late Congressman Doug LaMalfa (R-CA), leaves Republicans with an effective two-vote majority for passing legislation.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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11 hours ago
Politics

Fetterman Blasts Hypocritical Fellow Dems for Flip-Flopping on Capturing Maduro.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is criticizing his fellow Democrats for inconsistent messaging regarding the Trump administration’s capture and arrest of Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, noting that former President Joe Biden placed a $25 million bounty on the Marxist autocrat.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. John Fetterman, former President Biden, Congressional Democrats, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Fetterman’s remarks on his party’s hypocrisy regarding Maduro’s arrest were made during a television interview on Monday, January 5, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Why have a bounty of $25 million if we didn’t want him gone? Why would you do these things if you weren’t willing to actually do something other than harsh language?” – Sen. John Fetterman

🎯IMPACT: Fetterman’s remarks highlight the blatant contradictions in Congressional Democrat criticism of President Trump’s decision to launch the U.S. military operation resulting in Maduro’s capture and arraignment in a U.S. federal court on narco-terrorism charges.

IN FULL

Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) is criticizing the hypocrisy of his fellow Democrats over their attacks on President Donald J. Trump’s authorization of a U.S. military operation last Saturday that resulted in the capture of Venezuelan dictator and accused narco-terrorist Nicolás Maduro. During a television interview on Monday, Fetterman noted that former President Joe Biden issued a $25 million reward for Maduro’s capture, questioning the bounty’s purpose if Democrats on Capitol Hill were not committed to any action beyond empty rhetoric.

“Democrats, years ago, wanted to eliminate him, and why have a bounty of $25 million if we didn’t want him gone? Why would you do these things if you weren’t willing to actually do something other than harsh language?” Fetterman said. “I’ve seen the speeches from—whether it’s Leader [Chuck] Schumer or… past tweets from President Biden, we all wanted this man gone, and now he is gone.”

“Democrats, we all used to describe him as a dictator or a tyrant or a terrible person, and it wasn’t less than a year ago [that] President Biden raised the bounty [to] $25 million, less than a year ago,” the Pennsylvania Democrat stressed.

In an opinion editorial published early Tuesday, Sen. Tim Kaine (D-VA) called President Trump’s decision to capture Maduro an “unauthorized military attack on Venezuela,” declaring it “a sickening return to a day when the United States asserted the right to dominate the internal political affairs of all nations in the Western Hemisphere.”

A number of top contenders for the Democratic Party’s 2028 presidential nomination, including Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA), Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D-IL), Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), and former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, have claimed Maduro‘s ouster is actually about U.S. oil interests and regime change rather than the Marxist dictator’s narco-terrorist operation flooding America with illegal drugs.

Image via Tom Wolf.

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