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Thursday, January 8, 2026

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January 7, 2026
News

Woman Who Tried to Run Over ICE Agents Identified.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Renee Nicole Good has been identified as the woman fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer while attempting to run agents over.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Renee Nicole Good, 37, was identified by her mother, Donna Granger, as the woman shot.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on Wednesday, January 7, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That’s so stupid,” Granger said of her daughter’s shooting.

🎯IMPACT: Democrat officials have attempted to claim the incident was murder and inflame tensions between far-left protestors and federal law enforcement.

IN FULL

The woman who was shot and killed after attempting to run over a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer on Wednesday in Minneapolis, Minnesota, has been identified as 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good. Her mother, Donna Granger, confirmed to local media that she was notified of her daughter’s death.

“That’s so stupid,” Granger, who resides in the Twin Cities, said in response to the incident. She went on to describe Good as “extremely compassionate” and “an amazing human being.” Footage from the incident clearly shows Good impeding a federal law enforcement exercise and ignoring a lawful order, before attempting to run over an ICE officer with her car in a failed getaway attempt.

While it appears that Good was currently in a same-sex relationship, with a woman at the scene of the shooting reportedly identifying herself as Good’s “wife,” the 37-year-old was previously married to Timmy Ray Macklin Jr., who passed away in 2023. The couple shared a child, now four or five years old.

The National Pulse reported late Wednesday afternoon that Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D) and Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) have both moved to inflame tensions, with Frey calling the assertion by federal officials that the officer acted in self-defense “bulls**t” and “garbage”—despite footage indicating this was, in fact, the case. Meanwhile, Walz declared that the shooting made him and Minnesotans “angry,” stating that he shares this anger and has prepared an order to deploy Minnesota National Guard troops. It is unclear if he intends to try to use them against federal officers.

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By Popular Demand.
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9 minutes ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Crime
Immigration

WATCH: Anti-ICE Agitator Attacks Border Patrol Commander Bovino.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An anti-immigration enforcement protestor was caught on camera obstructing and trying to attack Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, an unnamed protestor, and Border Patrol agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Minneapolis, footage shared on X on January 8.

💬KEY QUOTE: “How many agents have to be assaulted before the INSURRECTION ACT is invoked?! IT’S TIME!” – Journalist Nick Sortor.

🎯IMPACT: The attack comes amid serious tensions in Minneapolis between leftists and federal agents following the shooting of a woman while trying to run over an ICE agent on January 7.

IN FULL

Video circulating on social media shows an anti-immigration enforcement agitator in Minneapolis, Minnesota, obstructing and attacking Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino before being detained by federal agents, as tensions continue to rise following the shooting of a woman who was trying to run over U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents on Wednesday.

Footage posted to X on January 8 appears to show a demonstrator stepping in front of Bovino and preventing him from moving as he works the streets alongside federal officers. Following a scuffle, multiple agents and demonstrators join the fracas before the instigator is detained.

The incident quickly drew attention online, with journalist Nick Sortor commenting on the footage on X, saying, “This is RIDICULOUS. How many agents have to be assaulted before the INSURRECTION ACT is invoked?! IT’S TIME! INVOKE THE INSURRECTION ACT!”

The confrontation comes amid unrest following the January 7 shooting of a woman by an ICE agent during a federal operation. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officials have stated that the agent acted in self-defense, with the woman attempting to run over officers on foot who had approached her vehicle. Notably, the officer who opened fire was previously dragged and injured by a car driven by an illegal immigrant pedophile he was apprehending.

Tensions between Minneapolis officials and federal immigration authorities predate the shooting. In December, Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara urged members of the city’s Somali community to report encounters with masked or unidentified ICE agents, pledging that local police would intervene if residents believed civil rights were being violated. Minneapolis is a sanctuary city and does not cooperate with ICE on routine immigration enforcement, endangering the public.

WATCH:


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39 minutes ago
William Upton
News

Wife of Woman Shot by ICE Identified as Far-Left Handywoman Who Hates Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by a U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, Minnesota, while attempting to run over officers during an immigration enforcement operation. Good’s wife has been identified as Rebecca Good, a 40-year-old handywoman who has expressed disdain for President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Renee Nicole Good, her wife Rebecca Good, ICE agents, and local officials, including Mayor Jacob Frey (D) and Governor Tim Walz (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting occurred on Wednesday, January 8, 2026, in Minneapolis during an anti-ICE protest.

💬KEY QUOTE: “An officer of ours acted quickly and defensively, shot to protect himself and the people around him.” – Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem

🎯IMPACT: The shooting has sparked protests and calls for ICE to leave Minnesota from Democrats, with over 2,000 officers deployed in the area.

IN FULL

The wife of Renee Nicole Good, the 37-year-old woman who was shot and killed on Wednesday after attempting to run over a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, has been identified as Rebecca Good—a 40-year-old handywoman who has expressed deep disdain for President Donald J. Trump. “I made her come down here, it’s my fault,” Rebecca Good reportedly said in the aftermath of the shooting, in which her wife ignored federal agents who ordered her to exit the vehicle, instead accelerating at an officer in front of her, prompting him to open fire.

Notably, Rebecca Good was not in the vehicle—a Honda Pilot SUV—with her wife, but was, instead, among the anti-ICE protestors along the side of a Minneapolis street. The couple operated the B. Good Handywork LLC out of their home in Kansas City, Missouri, before moving to Canada around eight months ago in response to President Donald J. Trump’s landslide 2024 election victory. However, they recently decided to return to the United States and settled in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Witnesses told media that Rebecca and Renee Good were present as “legal observers” and were among the protestors filming the anti-ICE demonstration.

In response to the shooting, Democrat politicians have sought to inflame tensions between far-left demonstrators and ICE. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D)—without evidence—called the assertion that the ICE officer acted in self-defense “bulls**t” and “garbage.” Meanwhile, Governor Tim Walz said he was “angry” with federal agents.

Most shockingly, Congressman Dan Goldman (D-NY) declared, “It was an outright murder… This officer needs to not only be fired and suspended, but—based on the video—charged.”

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
William Upton
Breaking
Immigration

BREAKING: Tim Walz Calls Up National Guard.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) has authorized the National Guard to support local law enforcement in Minneapolis amid continued clashes between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and violent left-wing protestors.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Tim Walz, Minnesota National Guard, ICE agents, leftist protestors, and local law enforcement.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 8, 2028, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Yesterday, I directed the National Guard to be ready should they be needed.” – Gov. Tim Walz

🎯IMPACT: The National Guard is on standby to ensure public safety and protect infrastructure amid protests.

IN FULL

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) has called up the state’s National Guard troops to assist local law enforcement as clashes between U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and violent left-wing protestors continue in Minneapolis. According to the governor’s office and a report by CNN, the National Guard will “help protect critical infrastructure and maintain public safety.”

“Governor Tim Walz has authorized the Minnesota National Guard to be staged and ready to support local and state law enforcement in protecting critical infrastructure and maintaining public safety following a shooting involving federal immigration enforcement agents in south Minneapolis,” a press release issued on January 8 by Gov. Walz’s office states.

The statement continues: “Executive Order 26-01 provides the ability for the Minnesota National Guard to protect critical infrastructure and to assist local law enforcement with additional tasks as requested. The state is providing additional law enforcement resources in a coordinated response to aid local law enforcement. The Minnesota State Patrol has mobilized 85 members of its Mobile Response Team to support law enforcement efforts in the Twin Cities.”

On Wednesday, shortly after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed after attempting to run over an ICE officer, Walz stated he had put the Minnesota National Guard on standby for potential activation. It remains unclear whether the Minnesota Democrat will order Guard troops to interfere with federal immigration enforcement operations in the state.

“We have every reason to believe that peace will hold. Yesterday, I directed the National Guard to be ready should they be needed. They remain ready in the event they are needed to help keep the peace, ensure public safety, and allow for peaceful demonstrations,” Walz said on Thursday.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
War
World

Iran Shuts Down Internet as Protests Against Islamist Regime Escalate.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Iran is under a near-total Internet blackout as the Islamist government desperately tries to crack down on mass protests.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian government, protesters, NetBlocks, Georgia Institute of Technology, and the Miaan Group,.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Thursday, January 8, 2026, across various cities in Iran.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are in a situation that can be described as a near-total internet shutdown.” — Amir Rashidi from the Miaan Group

🎯IMPACT: The blackout limits the coverage of events and isolates protesters from global communication.

IN FULL

Iran’s Islamist regime appears to have moved to cut off Internet access across the entire country on Thursday, as demonstrations against the rule of the ayatollahs continued to escalate into open civil conflict over runaway inflation and the collapse of the country’s economy. Internet monitoring groups like NetBlocks and the Georgia Institute of Technology reported a drastic drop in connectivity across the country.

While Internet blackouts are common during large-scale protests or the U.S. and Israeli strikes against the Islamist regime in June, the possibility that the Iranian government has taken the Internet offline entirely may signal that he regime is becoming increasingly desperate. Experts believe the current blackout is to prevent anti-regime demonstrators from communicating and to prevent evidence of pro-regime forces firing upon civilians.

“We are in a situation that can be described as a near-total internet shutdown,” Amir Rashidi from the Miaan Group—a human rights organization focused on Iran and the Middle East—stated. He added: “The method of disruption is the same as the one used during the 12-day war.”

Massive demonstrations have now erupted in multiple major Iranian cities, with reports indicating that at least one or two municipalities may have fallen entirely into the hands of anti-regime forces. As of Thursday, videos have surfaced of protestors burning pro-ayatollah banners in Tehran and attacking regime forces in the center of the city.

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3 hours ago
Immigration
News

The ICE Officer Involved in MN Shooting Was Dragged by a Car Last Year.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who shot a woman trying to run him over in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was previously dragged by a car, according to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The officer was part of an ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) special response team when he was dragged by a car during an arrest attempt in June 2025.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting occurred on a Wednesday in Minneapolis; the dragging incident took place on June 17, 2025, in Bloomington, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[T]he very same officer who was attacked [on Wednesday] had previously been dragged by an anti-ICE rioter who had rammed him with a car and drug him back in June. He sustained injuries at that time as well.” – Secretary Noem

🎯IMPACT: Far-left agitators have been engaging in violent protests over the shooting, inflamed by Democrat officials including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz.

IN FULL

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who shot and killed 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good while she was attempting to run him over in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was previously dragged by a car, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has confirmed. The officer involved is part of the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) special response team, known for handling high-risk situations.

Last June, he was dragged by a car while attempting to arrest Roberto Carlos Munoz on an immigration warrant in Bloomington, Minnesota. Munoz, who had a past conviction for sexually assaulting a minor, refused to comply with officers’ commands, leading to a dangerous situation.

“[T]he very same officer who was attacked [on Wednesday] had previously been dragged by an anti-ICE rioter who had rammed him with a car and drug him back in June. He sustained injuries at that time as well,” Secretary Noem confirmed at a press conference.

During the June dragging, the officer sustained significant injuries requiring 33 stitches after being dragged approximately 100 yards by Munoz. The officer attempted to use a Taser to subdue Munoz but was unsuccessful, and Munoz was later charged with assaulting a federal officer.

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3 hours ago
Culture
News

Here’s When and Where the ‘MELANIA’ Movie is Premiering.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump will attend the premiere of her film, MELANIA, at the Trump–Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., on January 29.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, First Lady Melania Trump, Amazon executives, Marc Beckman, Fernando Sulichin, Brett Ratner, and others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: January 29, 2025, at the Trump–Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C., with nationwide premiere events in 20 cities.

💬KEY QUOTE: “History is set in motion during the 20 days of my life prior to the U.S. Presidential Inauguration.” – Melania Trump

🎯IMPACT: The film provides an unprecedented, cinematic look into the life of Melania Trump during a historic 20-day period, with Amazon securing global distribution rights for $40 million.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump and First Lady Melania Trump are scheduled to attend the Washington, D.C., premiere of the film MELANIA on January 29, 2025, at the Trump–Kennedy Center. The 104-minute film will receive a global theatrical release the following day, January 30, opening in theaters across North America, South America, Asia, Europe, Israel, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), and additional international markets.

The Washington premiere is part of a broader 20-city rollout that includes New York, Miami, Los Angeles, and Chicago. Amazon executives are expected to attend several of the events after the company secured the film’s worldwide distribution rights in a reported $40 million deal. Melania Trump, who was deeply involved in the project, has described the film as a “private, unfiltered look” at her life during the period leading up to her husband’s second inauguration.

“History is set in motion during the 20 days of my life prior to the U.S. Presidential Inauguration,” the First Lady said, commenting on the film.

Negotiations for the deal were led by Melania Trump’s agent, Marc Beckman, who said the bidding process was highly competitive and that Amazon ultimately proved to be the strongest partner. The agreement includes a theatrical release and potential series options. Filming began in December 2024, with Fernando Sulichin serving as executive producer and Brett Ratner directing.

Rather than following a traditional documentary format, MELANIA is presented as a cinematic portrayal of the first lady’s life, featuring scenes filmed in New York, Mar-a-Lago, and Washington, D.C. A trailer released in December 2025 highlights moments such as Melania Trump’s inauguration outfit, family interactions, and behind-the-scenes footage from her return to the role of First Lady.

The film follows the release of Melania Trump’s memoir, Melania, which topped The New York Times bestseller list and offers a personal account of her background and time in the White House. The book also revealed unexpected details about her personal life, including an ongoing correspondence with King Charles III that began after they met in New York in 2005 and continued during his 2019 state visit to the United States.

In recent years, Melania Trump has taken on a more visible public role, including advocacy against online exploitation. She has publicly supported legislation aimed at combating nonconsensual intimate imagery and has also been linked to diplomatic efforts surrounding the return of displaced Ukrainian children from Russia.

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3 hours ago
Crime
News

Vance Announces New DOJ Fraud Chief, Multi-State Task Force Following Minnesota Scandal.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Vice President J.D. Vance announced the establishment of a new federal task force to combat fraud nationwide, as well as the creation of a new associate attorney general position that will focus entirely on investigating and prosecuting fraud.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Vice President J.D. Vance and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on Thursday, January 8, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Justice Department will feature a new associate attorney general position to address fraud.” – J.D. Vance

🎯IMPACT: Over 1,500 subpoenas and 100 indictments have already been issued as part of the effort.

IN FULL

Vice President J.D. Vance announced on Thursday the formation of a new federal task force to tackle fraud across the United States. In addition, the Trump administration is creating a new associate attorney general (AAG) position that will be tasked with investigating and prosecuting fraud. According to Vance, the position will be Senate-confirmed.

“The Justice Department will feature a new associate attorney general position to address fraud,” Vance stated during the announcement at the White House. He also highlighted the scale of the effort, noting that the Department of Justice (DOJ) has thus far issued over 1,500 subpoenas and secured 100 indictments in connection with fraud investigations.

Already, numerous federal agencies have launched investigations into the stunning fraud allegations in Minnesota and tied to the state’s Somali immigrant community. Currently, the total amount stolen from U.S. taxpayers is estimated to exceed $9 billion, although that number is likely to increase as the investigations proceed.

On Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump announced that his administration has launched an investigation into allegations of fraud in California, contending that the state, under Governor Gavin Newsom (D), is “more corrupt than Minnesota.” In a post on Truth Social, President Trump stated, “California, under Governor Gavin Newscum, is more corrupt than Minnesota, if that’s possible??? The Fraud Investigation of California has begun.”

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4 hours ago
Economy

Trump’s Tariffs Have Cut the Trade Deficit to a 14-Year Low.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. trade deficit dropped sharply in October, reaching its lowest level since 2009, as imports fell significantly under President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the U.S. Department of Commerce, and economist Bradley Saunders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: October 2025, with data released in January 2026, delayed due to a prior government shutdown.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Swings in trade of gold and pharmaceuticals were behind the plunge in the trade deficit to a two-decade low in October, though higher computer imports suggest there are genuine signs of strength elsewhere in the economy amid the AI buildout.” – Bradley Saunders

🎯IMPACT: The data highlights the influence of President Trump’s tariffs on trade flows, while businesses and households navigate the effects of these policies.

IN FULL

The U.S. trade deficit fell to $29.4 billion in October, marking a 39 percent decline and the lowest level since 2009, according to data from the U.S. Department of Commerce. Exports rose by $7.8 billion to $302 billion, while imports decreased by $11 billion to $331.4 billion. The deficit was significantly lower than the $58.4 billion forecasted by economists.

Bradley Saunders, an economist with Capital Economics, noted that it is likely that “swings in trade of gold and pharmaceuticals were behind the plunge in the trade deficit to a two-decade low in October,” while also highlighting growth in computer imports as a sign of broader economic strength driven by artificial intelligence (AI)-related and semiconductor technology industries.

The release of this data was delayed due to the Democrat-initiated 43-day government shutdown last year, which disrupted the availability of updated figures for officials and businesses. The numbers reflect the ongoing impact of President Trump’s tariff policies, which have reshaped trade flows in favor of the United States. Notably, the President has expanded some tariff exemptions on key goods, including agricultural imports, in response to economic pressures on households.

The Supreme Court is expected to rule soon on whether President Trump legally invoked the International Emergency Economic Powers Act (IEEPA) to implement tariffs. A ruling against the administration could result in businesses receiving over $160 billion in refunds for duties paid last year.

Importantly, not all of the Trump administration’s tariffs derive their authorization from the IEEPA, so even an adverse ruling would not invalidate all of the trade duties.

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5 hours ago
News

Japan Starts Deep-Sea Mining Tests to Beat China’s Rare-Earth Export Restrictions.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Japan has begun testing the feasibility of mining rare-earth elements from the deep seabed near Minamitori Island.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Japanese government, researchers from the University of Tokyo and the Nippon Foundation, and the research vessel Chikyu.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Testing runs from January 11 to February 14, 2026, in waters around Minamitori Island.

🎯IMPACT: The project aims to reduce reliance on China’s rare-earth supply chain and strengthen Japan’s economic and maritime security.

IN FULL

Japan has initiated a government-backed trial to test the feasibility of mining rare-earth elements from the seabed near Minamitori Island. The trial, which runs from January 11 to February 14, 2026, involves retrieving rare-earth-rich mud from a depth of approximately 6,000 meters. This marks the first global attempt to continuously lift such material from the deep ocean.

The research vessel Chikyu, departing from central Japan, will conduct the test. The project aims to lift hundreds of tons of sediment daily while monitoring environmental impacts both on the ocean floor and aboard the vessel. If successful, Japan plans to conduct a larger trial next year.

The trial comes as China, which dominates the global rare-earth supply chain, has signaled potential export controls on rare-earth minerals to Japan. Beijing recently announced a ban on exporting dual-use items with potential military applications, raising concerns that rare earths could be included. Japan currently relies on China for about 60 percent of its rare-earth imports.

Japanese officials have highlighted that the deposits near Minamitori Island lack radioactive materials such as thorium and uranium, which are often associated with land-based rare-earth mining, and, importantly, should reduce the risk of contamination of seawater. Research from the University of Tokyo and the Nippon Foundation previously identified over 200 million tonnes of manganese nodules in the Pacific Ocean.

While the project aims to secure critical minerals for clean energy technologies and defense, environmental groups and marine scientists warn of potential long-term damage to deep-sea ecosystems. A recent study reported a 37 percent decrease in seafloor animal populations in a mining exploration zone, prompting calls for a moratorium on deep-sea mining at the UN Ocean Conference in Nice, France.

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5 hours ago
Crime
News

Foreign Fraudster Asks to Be Spared Prison and Deportation Because He’s Trans.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ruby Corado, founder of Casa Ruby, pleaded guilty to wire fraud for diverting COVID-19 relief funds.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ruby Corado, a legal permanent resident from El Salvador, and his attorneys.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sentencing is set for January 13, following his July 2024 guilty plea.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Few face the combined realities of transgender status in a system retreating from safety protections, certain immigration detention, and likely removal to a country hostile to their very identity,” argues attorney Pleasant Brodnax.

🎯IMPACT: Prosecutors seek a 33-month sentence; defense wants time served, claiming Corado will be at risk in a men’s prison.

IN FULL

Ruby Corado, the transgender founder of the now-defunct Washington, D.C.–based LGBTQ+ nonprofit Casa Ruby, is asking a federal judge to spare him from prison after pleading guilty to wire fraud connected to COVID-19 relief funds. Court records show that Corado admitted he “illegally transferred at least $200,000 to El Salvador from approximately $960,000 in federal aid received in 2020,” money that was intended to support Casa Ruby’s operations during the pandemic. The nonprofit had provided housing and social services to LGBTQ+ people before shutting down in 2022.

Federal prosecutors argue Corado should receive a sentence of about 33 months in prison. His attorneys counter that sentencing guidelines suggest a range of 15 to 21 months and are urging the court to impose only time served. The defense claims the remaining funds were used for legitimate purposes.

In filings, Corado’s lawyers argue that incarceration would pose “extraordinary risks” because of his transgender status and warn that imprisonment could also lead to deportation proceedings, as Corado is not a U.S. citizen. Sentencing is scheduled for January 13 after multiple delays.

“Few face the combined realities of transgender status in a system retreating from safety protections, certain immigration detention, and likely removal to a country hostile to their very identity,” Pleasant Brodnax, Corado’s attorney, said this week.

The case has drawn attention amid broader discussions about transgender incarceration and cases of pandemic-era fraud. According to recent reporting, approximately 15 percent of inmates housed in federal women’s prisons are men claiming to be transgender, a figure that has fueled debate over prison policies, safety, and placement.

Corado’s prosecution is also part of a nationwide wave of investigations into misuse of COVID-19 relief funds. During the pandemic, federal and state authorities distributed trillions of dollars through emergency loan and aid programs, many of which later proved vulnerable to fraud. Law enforcement agencies have since charged thousands of suspects across the country, including nonprofit leaders and public employees, with diverting or stealing pandemic funds.

In several high-profile cases, prosecutors allege that lax oversight allowed large-scale schemes to operate for months or years before detection. Those cases have prompted calls for tighter controls on emergency spending and greater accountability for organizations receiving public funds.

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