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Tuesday, March 17, 2026

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1 hour ago
World

Russia Warns Against Trump’s Plans to ‘Take’ Cuba.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russia has responded strongly to U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s remarks about “taking” Cuba, condemning U.S. interference.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Russia’s foreign ministry, and Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Statements were made in March 2026, with tensions centered on Cuba and its relations with the U.S. and Russia.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I do believe I’ll be having the honor of taking Cuba. That’s a big honor… Taking Cuba in some form.” – Donald Trump.

🎯IMPACT: Russia reaffirmed its support for Cuba, condemning U.S. sanctions and interference, while the island faces worsening economic conditions and protests.

IN FULL

Long-time Cuban ally Russia is condemning U.S. President Donald J. Trump’s comments suggesting he believes he will have the “honor of taking Cuba” as the island nation faces worsening economic conditions, blackouts, and a U.S. oil blockade. Speaking in the Oval Office late Monday, Trump suggested, “Whether I free it, take it, I think I could do anything I want with it, if you want to know the truth. They are a very weakened nation right now.”

The Russian foreign ministry responded early Tuesday, stating, “Russia reaffirms its unwavering solidarity with ​the government and fraternal people of Cuba. We strongly ​condemn attempts of gross interference in the internal affairs of a ⁠sovereign state, intimidation, and the use of illegal unilateral restrictive measures.” The ministry also claimed the challenges Cuba faces are the result of U.S. policy, attributing the economic and energy grid collapse to American sanctions and embargoes.

In mid-February, The National Pulse reported that Russia announced it intended to defy the U.S. oil blockade of Cuba, though it appears promised petroleum shipments never materialized—at least on a scale that would provide any significant relief for the island’s communist regime. Notably, Cuba hosts several critical Russian and Chinese intelligence installations used to monitor American military activity, especially at U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM)—at MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida—and at U.S. Southern Command (SOUTHCOM)—in Doral, Florida.

Further, Cuba remains one of the last vestiges of Russian and Chinese influence in the Western Hemisphere—Cuba long relied on subsidies from the Soviet Union to keep its economy afloat. The collapse of the Caribbean island’s communist regime would likely send a profound message to the Global South that neither Russia nor China is capable of protecting their client states nor projecting power in any meaningful way into the United States’s backyard.

Over the weekend, anti-regime protestors in Moron, central Cuba, stormed the local communist party headquarters, destroying part of the building and setting it ablaze. The act was just one of the latest signs that Cuba’s communist leader, Miguel Díaz-Canel, is quickly losing his grip on power as he is reportedly negotiating with the U.S. State Department toward some form of transition of governance.

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12 minutes ago
Corruption
Crime

Newsom’s Former Chief of Staff Collected $62,000 in Taxpayer Dollars While Under FBI Investigation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Chief of Staff to California Governor Gavin Newsom (D), Dana Williamson, continued receiving taxpayer-funded payouts while on leave during an investigation into alleged corruption.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Dana Williamson, Gov. Gavin Newsom, Democratic lobbyist Greg Campbell, and Deputy Attorney General Sean McCluskie.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The taxpayer-funded payments occurred in 2025; Williamson was placed on leave in December 2024. Indictments were announced in California in November 2025.

🎯IMPACT: Raises concerns over California’s financial policies amid a $17.7 billion budget shortfall and ongoing corruption investigations.

IN FULL

Governor Gavin Newsom‘s (D-CA) former chief of staff, Dana Williamson, received over $62,000 in taxpayer dollars in 2025 despite being on leave as part of an ongoing criminal corruption investigation. This included $30,000 for unused vacation time and $22,000 for remaining time off, as allowed under California’s policy for cashing out unused vacation time.

The National Pulse reported last November that Williamson, who served as Newsom’s top aide until 2024, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and charged with public corruption. The charges, part of a federal indictment, accuse Williamson and her co-conspirators of engaging in a scheme involving wire and bank fraud.

The indictment names Greg Campbell, Sean McCluskie, and two others alongside Williamson, and alleges a conspiracy to divert funds from the dormant political campaign of former Biden Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary and California Attorney General Xavier Becerra for personal use. The indictment outlines 23 counts, each carrying significant penalties. Federal attorneys contend that Williamson conspired to divert approximately $225,000 in campaign funds between 2022 and 2024. Investigators reportedly recorded a 2024 high-level meeting with Williamson and two co-conspirators in which they discussed the scheme.

Notably, California’s fund for paying out unused vacation time is unfunded and owes workers $5.6 billion. This comes amid an estimated $17.7 billion budget shortfall, according to the Legislative Analyst’s Office.

Both Campbell and McCluskie have pleaded guilty to the charges. Meanwhile, Williamson is also accused of falsifying COVID Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans and filing fraudulent tax forms to claim over $1 million in business deductions, which were allegedly used for personal expenses and vacations. Williamson has pleaded not guilty and is awaiting her next court date, expected in April.

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2 hours ago
News

Trump Delivers Ultimatum to Opponents of SAVE America Act.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald Trump J. declared he will never endorse any legislator opposing the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made his statement on Truth Social on Tuesday. SAVE is currently before the U.S. Senate.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!'” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The bill, which Thune has put before the Senate without removing the filibuster or attempting a talking filibuster, is almost certainly doomed, heightening tensions within the GOP.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has issued an ultimatum on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act, declaring he will never endorse any lawmaker who votes against the legislation. In a Truth Social post on Tuesday, Trump described the bill as one of the most significant pieces of legislation in congressional history. He positioned it as a critical safeguard against “RIGGED ELECTIONS” and made clear that opposition would cost his political backing.

He framed support for the measure as a test of sanity in Congress, stating: “The Save America Act is one of the most IMPORTANT & CONSEQUENTIAL pieces of legislation in the history of Congress, and America itself. NO MORE RIGGED ELECTIONS! Voter I.D., Proof of Citizenship, No Rigged Mail-In Voting (We are the only Country in the World that allows this!), No Men in Women’s Sports, No Transgender MUTILIZATION of our Children. 90% to 99% ISSUES ALL! Only sick, demented, or deranged people in the House or Senate could vote against THE SAVE AMERICA ACT. If they do, each one of these points, separately, will be used against the user in his/her political campaign for office – A guaranteed loss! Get your Senators, REPUBLICAN OR DEMOCRAT, to VOTE ‘YES’ ON ‘THE SAVE AMERICA ACT.’ I WILL NEVER (EVER!) ENDORSE ANYONE WHO VOTES AGAINST ‘SAVE AMERICA!!!'”

The SAVE America Act would require proof of U.S. citizenship for voter registration and also includes provisions addressing the participation of males in women’s sports and the mutilation of children in transgender surgeries and drug “treatments.”

However, Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) has rejected the bill, and Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD)—while officially promoting it—has declined to abolish the filibuster or attempt a talking filibuster to pass it, making its failure all but certain. Republicans do not currently have the 60 votes needed to invoke cloture and advance the measure.

In recent years, the Senate has operated under a “silent filibuster,” allowing bills to stall without extended floor debate. Shifting to a traditional “talking filibuster” would force Democrats to deliver prolonged speeches on the floor. Thune has resisted this approach because it would require Republicans to maintain a continuous 51-vote quorum to avoid adjournment.

The standoff is already influencing key political races. In Texas, the contentious Republican Senate primary runoff between anti-Trump incumbent Sen. John Cornyn and America First state Attorney General Ken Paxton has centered heavily on the issue. Cornyn, long a staunch defender of the 60-vote threshold, recently wrote in a New York Post op-ed claiming that he is now open to altering Senate rules to help pass the SAVE America Act. Paxton, a longtime supporter of the SAVE Act, has dismissed this shift as a last-minute, pressure-driven change to secure Trump’s backing.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
War

The Iran War is Wreaking Havoc on Asian Energy Markets.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Energy shortages are escalating across Asia and other regions due to disruptions caused by the ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran, which has impacted oil and gas supplies through the Strait of Hormuz.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governments in Asia, including Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, the Philippines, China, India, and Thailand.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crisis has been unfolding since February 28, 2026, with significant impacts in Asia, particularly in nations reliant on energy imports through the Strait of Hormuz.

🎯IMPACT: Countries are rationing energy, releasing reserves, and grappling with rising costs, which are impacting households, businesses, and industrial production.

IN FULL

Asian nations are implementing extraordinary measures as the ongoing U.S.-Israeli military strikes against the Islamic Republic of Iran have disrupted global energy supply chains. Iranian attacks on oil and gas tanker vessels in the Persian Gulf and Strait of Hormuz have put a significant chokehold on an estimated 20 percent of worldwide petroleum shipments, with Asian markets being a primary destination for the tankers.

Over the last half-century, a number of Asian nations have built their economies on high-end, energy-intensive exports, especially in the technology sector. Countries like Vietnam, China, Taiwan, Japan, and South Korea are being hit especially hard by disruptions to oil tankers passing through the strait. In response to the energy supply crunch, these countries are implementing strict rationing measures.

In the Philippines, government officials have imposed a four-day workweek to cut electricity use and fuel consumption. Additionally, companies have been told their employees should shut off computers when not in use and keep the work area air conditioning set at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Vietnam, meanwhile, is pressing refiners to work in overdrive to keep up supply, while Thailand is attempting to stretch its two-month fuel reserve well past its anticipated depletion date. Both Thailand and Vietnam have implemented emergency subsidies to shield most households from spiking energy costs in the short term.

East Asian nations like Japan and South Korea are steadily releasing emergency fuel reserves, with oil and gas being critical to their manufacturing and technology sectors. Notably, Japan appears inclined to shift away from reliance on Middle East natural gas, with the country’s Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi slated to meet with U.S. President Donald J. Trump later this month to discuss increasing Japan’s purchase of American liquefied natural gas (LNG). Japan is also moving to restart several of its nuclear reactors.

Asia’s two most populous nations, China and India, are being especially hit hard. India is focusing on keeping prices down for residential consumers, mainly through subsidies. China, however, which accounted for 80 to 90 percent of Iran’s oil sales, has been forced to increase its price cap on gasoline and diesel. The new cap marks the highest increase since 2022.

Image by Tasnim News Agency.

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3 hours ago
Economy
Immigration

Teamsters Back Trump, GOP Effort to Crack Down on Deadly Illegal Immigrant Truckers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has endorsed the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act, a GOP-led effort to address unsafe practices in the trucking industry and shut down so-called “chameleon carriers” that often employ illegal immigrant drivers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien, Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY), and other congressional Republicans.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The legislation was introduced recently in Congress and is gaining traction with support from labor unions and lawmakers.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Chameleon carriers have gone unchecked for decades, harming and weakening America’s trucking industry. These unscrupulous operators jeopardize the safety of everyone on our roadways.” — Sean O’Brien.

🎯IMPACT: If passed, the SAFE Act would help detect and eliminate fraudulent trucking companies, improving safety and protecting rule-abiding truckers.

IN FULL

The International Brotherhood of Teamsters has announced its endorsement of the Safety and Accountability in Freight Enforcement (SAFE) Act, legislation introduced by Representative Harriet Hageman (R-WY), which aims to tackle the issue of “chameleon carriers,” trucking companies that repeatedly reopen under new identities to avoid enforcement after being shut down for violations. “Chameleon carriers have gone unchecked for decades, harming and weakening America’s trucking industry,” Teamsters General President Sean O’Brien stated, adding, “These unscrupulous operators jeopardize the safety of everyone on our roadways and threaten the livelihoods of truck drivers who follow the rules.”

American highways have seen a recent uptick in deadly vehicle accidents caused by illegal immigrant and noncitizen semi-truck drivers, many of whom received commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) from New York or California. The National Pulse reported in February that the Trump administration’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) has shut down nearly 8,000 sham trucking schools in recent months as part of an effort to prevent illegal immigrant drivers from receiving CDL certifications. However, like fly-by-night trucking companies, these sham schools often reopen quickly under new names and false ownership.

Rep. Hageman’s SAFE Act would implement an automated tool to detect fraudulent carriers who have previously been shut down by regulators but are attempting to reopen under a new operating name and registration number, while still employing the same individuals and having the same ownership. If adopted, the bill would also enhance coordination between state and federal agencies, a key point of contention over several of the recent fatal crashes caused by illegal immigrants, with New York and California trying to blame federal databases for erroneously issued CDLs.

Importantly, the SAFE Act includes provisions to preserve due process, requiring human review for all registrations flagged. Rep. Hageman has emphasized the dangers posed by these companies, stating, “These companies game the system, ignore the law, and put American families at risk, all while punishing hardworking truckers who follow the rules.”

Image by Ofer Inbar.

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4 hours ago
News
Politics

Jim Banks Invests Millions to Challenge Senators Opposing GOP Redistricting.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) is deploying $3 million to oppose seven Indiana state senators who voted against a redistricting bill.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senator Jim Banks and Indiana state senators, including Travis Holdman, James Buck, Spencer Deery, Greg Goode, and Greg Walker.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Current efforts in Indiana, following the recent redistricting vote.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Hoosiers deserve a more conservative state Senate.” – Jim Banks

🎯IMPACT: The move aims to strengthen Republican influence in the Indiana House by targeting senators who opposed the redistricting bill.

IN FULL

Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) is intensifying a political clash within Indiana by directing $3 million from his 501(c)(4), Hoosier Leadership for America, toward efforts to unseat members of his own party. The move targets seven Republican state senators who opposed a proposed redistricting plan that could have secured the GOP two additional U.S. House seats.

Those singled out include Travis Holdman, James Buck, Spencer Deery, Greg Goode, and Greg Walker. Their votes against the measure derailed a Trump-backed push to redraw district lines, exposing deep divisions within the Indiana Republican Party. “Hoosiers deserve a more conservative state Senate,” Banks said.

The redistricting effort, backed by President Donald J. Trump and which gained traction in late 2025, ultimately failed in the state senate despite pressure from national conservatives. Some Indiana Republicans were hesitant to revisit district boundaries, and reports suggested party leaders effectively abandoned the initiative after internal disagreements stalled progress.

Banks is now challenging what he sees as an unresponsive party establishment. Senator Todd Young (R-IN), Governor Mike Braun (R-IN), and former Governor Mitch Daniels (R-IN) have all faced criticism from conservatives frustrated by the outcome. The dispute has also drawn attention from President Trump, who criticized Young’s political circle, including consultant Cam Savage, for opposing the effort. Trump also expressed disappointment in Braun, saying, “I got that guy elected, and he couldn’t deliver redistricting.”

Redistricting, the redrawing of electoral district boundaries, remains a powerful political tool, often shaping party control in Congress. While Indiana Republicans have struggled to advance their preferred map, Democrats have been more successful elsewhere. In Virginia, party leaders are pursuing a plan that could yield a 10–1 Democratic advantage in the state’s congressional delegation. Additionally, Democrats secured a favorable ruling at the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals earlier this year, strengthening their position in ongoing redistricting battles.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Politics

AIPAC Appears to be Funding Multiple Sides of a Key Democratic Primary Taking Place TONIGHT.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Democratic House primary in Illinois is seeing tensions over an ad from a super PAC with ties to AIPAC.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Candidates Bushra Amiwala, Kat Abughazaleh, Daniel Biss, and Laura Fine, along with the Chicago Progressive Partnership, a super PAC linked to AIPAC.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The primary is taking place in the Ninth Congressional District of Illinois, with the election set for Tuesday.

🎯IMPACT: The super PAC appears to be attempting to split progressive votes, a move in tacit support of either Daniel Biss or Laura Fine.

IN FULL

A Democratic primary in Illinois has become a battleground over Israel, with accusations that a super PAC linked to the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) is attempting to divide progressive candidates through an ad campaign. The ad supports Bushra Amiwala, calling her the “real deal” and declaring that she is fighting for “real economic justice.” However, the television spot has been condemned by Amiwala, as it was paid for by a super PAC called the Chicago Progressive Partnership.

While little is publicly available regarding the super PAC, campaign filings show it shares numerous vendors in common with AIPAC and affiliated groups. This past weekend, Amiwala said that she “absolutely could not be more disgusted” by the Chicago Progressive Partnership campaign ad backing her candidacy.

What appears to be at play, is cynical—but perhaps effective—attempt to split the progressive vote in Illinois’s 9th Congressional District, an open seat following Representative Jan Schakowsky‘s (D-IL) retirement. The actual goal of the Chicago Progressive Partnership appears to be to deprive Kat Abughazaleh—a Palestinian-American and former Media Matters staffer—of at least a fraction of progressive votes in the primary.

In effect, by splitting more radical progressive voters between Amiwala and Abughazaleh, the super PAC would actually be aiding a third progressive candidate, Evanston Mayor Daniel Biss, along with another contender, State Senator Laura Fine. Biss is a grandson of Holocaust survivors and far less militant against Israel compared to the to the other progressive candidates, while Fine is a vocal supporter of Israel. It is notable that another AIPAC-tied group, Elect Chicago Women, has spent significantly in support of Fine in the primary race.

The strategy in Illinois is a marked shift AIPAC’s activities in a New Jersey special election earlier this year. The pro-Israel group blundered in attacking the more moderate Democrat candidate for being insufficiently supportive of the Jewish State, which ended up suppressing the vote to the point that Analilia Mejia—a pro-Palestinian and radical progressive—eked out a 1,100 vote victory.

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By Popular Demand.
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5 hours ago
War

Leaders of Iranian National Security Council and Islamic Morality Police Reported Dead.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Israel announced it killed two senior Iranian security officials in overnight strikes.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian officials Ali Larijani and Gen. Gholam Reza Soleimani, Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

📍WHEN & WHERE: March 17, 2026, overnight strikes targeting Iran.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are undermining this regime to give the Iranian people the opportunity to remove it.” – Benjamin Netanyahu

🎯IMPACT: The killings strip Iran of key leaders amid ongoing conflict with the U.S. and Israel.

IN FULL

Israel claims it has killed Ali Larijani, Secretary of Iran’s National Security Council, and General Gholam Reza Soleimani, head of the Basij paramilitary morality police, in overnight strikes. If confirmed, the killings represent another major blow to the regime’s leadership, with Larijani, in particular, having appeared to be the regime’s de facto frontman since the killing of former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Notably, Khamenei’s son and official successor, Mojtaba Khamenei, has not been seen in public since he assumed the role of Supreme Leader, with reports suggesting he has been “disfigured” in a strike and may even be dead.

The Israeli Defense Minister, Israel Katz, confirmed the operation against Larijani and Soleimani, stating that both figures were “eliminated last night.” Larijani and Soleimani were instrumental in Iran’s brutal crackdown on protests earlier this year.

Despite its losses, Iran is continuing to launch missiles and drones at its Gulf Arab neighbors and Israel, as well as shipping in the critical Strait of Hormuz. This has impacted global energy and fertilizer markets and caused disruptions in targeted territories like Dubai, which temporarily closed its airspace on Tuesday.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said of the ongoing U.S.-Israeli strikes, “We are undermining this regime to give the Iranian people the opportunity to remove it. It won’t happen quickly or easily, but if we persist, they will have the chance to take their destiny into their own hands.”

There is growing disquiet in the United States as the conflict drags on on casualties rise, however, with Joe Kent, the now-former Director of the National Counterterrorism Center resigning from his post on Tuesday, on grounds that “Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

Image by Tasnim News Agency.

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6 hours ago
News

BREAKING: U.S. Counterterror Chief, 11-Time Combat Veteran Joe Kent RESIGNS Over Iran War.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Joe Kent resigned from his position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Joe Kent, former twice-Trump-endorsed Congressional candidate.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Effective immediately, announced on X.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran.” – Joe Kent

🎯IMPACT: Highlights dissent over U.S. foreign policy and potential influence of external lobbies.

IN FULL

Joe Kent, former Trump-endorsed Congressional candidate, has resigned from his role as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center. His resignation comes as a protest against the ongoing war in Iran.

Kent announced his decision on the social media platform X, stating, “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.”

He expressed his inability to support the war, citing that Iran posed no imminent threat to the United States and suggesting that the conflict was initiated due to external pressures.

Kent’s statement noted, “It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.”

Despite his resignation, Kent acknowledged the honor of serving under the current administration and leading the professionals at the NCTC, concluding with a blessing for America.

Here’s his full letter to President Trump:

President Trump,

After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today.

I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating ISIS.

Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.

As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.

It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.

Joseph Kent
Director, National Counterterrorism Center

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6 hours ago
Bonkers Britain

It Gets Worse, as RATS May Replace Churchill on Banknotes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has suggested that urban animals, such as pigeons, rats, and seagulls, should feature on redesigned English banknotes.

💬KEY QUOTE: “What about the pigeons who have been our friends for thousands of years, or rats, with their amazing memories, or even gulls, with their amazing levels of intelligence?” – Geoff Edmond, RSPCA.

🎯IMPACT: The Bank of England has not yet finalized its designs, but plans to replace historic Britons such as Sir Winston Churchill and Jane Austen with wildlife, claiming this will improve anti-counterfeiting measures.

IN FULL

The Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA) has proposed featuring urban creatures such as rats, pigeons, and seagulls on the next series of English banknotes. This follows the Bank of England’s announcement that it will replace historic Britons, including Sir Winston Churchill, with images of native wildlife on future notes.

The animal welfare charity welcomed the shift toward celebrating British nature but urged recognition for species that are often “overlooked” and “misunderstood.” Geoff Edmond of the RSPCA said, “Showcasing our native wildlife on everyday banknotes is a wonderful way to celebrate the animals that we share our towns, cities and countryside with—including the ones who don’t always make the ‘most popular’ lists.”

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage has branded the move to remove Churchill from banknotes “the definition of woke” and “absolutely crackers,” and even Liberal Democrat leader Sir Ed Davey argued that Churchill deserved “better than being replaced by a badger.”

The Bank of England claims it selected wildlife as the theme because it is more difficult to counterfeit, although it is not especially obvious why an image of a rat should be harder to counterfeit than an image of Churchill.

The Bank has not yet confirmed which specific animals will appear on the new notes, although concept designs have featured beavers, stags, robins, and red squirrels. The RSPCA has put forward its own mock-up designs, suggesting a pigeon for the £5 note, a fox on the £10, a gull on the £20, and a rat on the £50.

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18 hours ago
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SCOTUS Pauses ‘TPS’ Trump Deportations, Will Rule by June.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Supreme Court temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting Syrians and Haitians under Temporary Protected Status (TPS) while expediting arguments for April.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, Solicitor General D. John Sauer, and the U.S. Supreme Court.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The decision was issued Monday, with arguments set for April, and a ruling expected by the end of June.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Given lower courts’ persistent disregard for this court’s actions in other TPS cases.” – Solicitor General D. John Sauer

🎯IMPACT: The Supreme Court’s decision will determine the future of TPS designations and the validity of claims by TPS holders.

IN FULL

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday temporarily blocked the Trump administration from deporting 6,000 Syrians and 350,000 Haitians who were granted Temporary Protected Status (TPS) under Presidents Obama, Biden, and Trump himself. The court also expedited arguments for April, with a decision expected by the end of June.

Federal law allows presidents to grant TPS to individuals from countries experiencing armed conflict, natural disasters, or other extraordinary circumstances.

President Trump seeks to end TPS for individuals from 13 countries, including Myanmar, Nepal, Honduras, Nicaragua, Afghanistan, and Venezuela, among others.

The Trump administration requested the Supreme Court to block lower court orders that continued TPS for Syrians and Haitians.

Syrians have been eligible for TPS since 2012, during the Obama administration, due to the ongoing conflict under Bashar al-Assad. Trump extended their status in 2018. Haitians have qualified since 2010, following a devastating earthquake and subsequent political unrest. Biden extended their status in 2021.

Last year, then-Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem announced plans to revoke TPS for Haiti and Syria, citing that neither country met the program’s requirements.

A ruling is expected by late June.

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