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June 11, 2024
Lawfare

Merrick Garland PROMISES His DOJ Isn’t Biased, in Bizarre WaPo Op-Ed.

On Tuesday, Joe Biden‘s Attorney General Merrick Garland slammed ongoing attacks on the Department of Justice (DOJ) and special counsel Jack Smith. In an opinion piece titled “Unfounded attacks on the Justice Department must end,” published in the Washington Post, Garland highlighted what he claims are threats, conspiracy theories, and falsehoods directed at the department. Biden’s Attorney General goes on to contend that the attacks have recently escalated to involve Smith, who is leading several investigations into former President Donald J. Trump.

“In recent weeks, we have seen an escalation of attacks that go far beyond public scrutiny, criticism, and legitimate and necessary oversight of our work. They are baseless, personal and dangerous. These attacks come in the form of threats to defund particular department investigations, most recently the special counsel‘s prosecution of the former president,” the Biden appointee wrote. Garland and Smith have come under increased scrutiny for their partisan lawfare campaign against former President Trump.

THE HUR AUDIO.

Additionally, Garland faces a contempt charge from House Republicans for refusing to hand over audio records of two interviews the 81-year-old Biden sat for with special counsel Robert Hur. Written transcripts of the interviews and Hur’s own recollection indicate that Biden struggled to remember crucial dates and details in his political career—including when he served as vice president and when his son Beau Biden died.

COLANGELO AND BRAGG.

Following Trump‘s conviction on charges related to a hush money payment made to adult film star Stormy Daniels, Garland became the target of scrutiny over the role a former DOJ attorney, Matthew Colangelo, played in the prosecution. While Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg initiated the case, Colaneglo was one of the three lead prosecutors.

SHADY JACK SMITH.

Last August, Trump was indicted on federal charges by Jack Smith, alleging he attempted to overturn the 2020 election results and obstructed the congressional certification process on January 6, 2021. Trump pleaded not guilty to these charges and other allegations concerning the retention of classified materials at his Mar-a-Lago residence.

Both of Smith’s prosecutions have come under increased judicial scrutiny, with U.S. District Court Judge Aileen Cannon reprimanding the special counsel for mishandling evidence and sloppy procedure in the documents case. The Supreme Court, meanwhile, will rule this month on the constitutionality of several of the charges being pursued by Smith in the January 6 case.

By Popular Demand.
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29 minutes ago
Crime
UK

Knife Crime and Personal Theft Surging.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Recorded knife crime offences in England and Wales are now on the rise following a decrease during the COVID-19 pandemic.

👥 Who’s Involved: Police forces across England and Wales, with London’s Metropolitan Police recording the highest number of cases.

📍 Where & When: The data pertains to England and Wales in the year 2024, annual figures released by the government’s Office for National Statistics (ONS).

💬 Key Quote:  Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson claims the leftist Labour government “will not tolerate the criminality blighting our communities.”

⚠️ Impact: The crime rise may impact the fortunes of Labour and the formerly governing Conservatives in May’s local elections, with Nigel Farage’s Reform Party already outpolling them regularly.

IN FULL:

Knife crime is rising in England and Wales. In 2024, an estimated 54,587 knife crime incidents were reported, an increase of two percent from the previous year’s 53,413 cases. The Office for National Statistics (ONS) released the new stats this week.

Robberies with knives or sharp objects rose by five percent, reaching 23,305 cases, an increase from 2023’s number of 22,189. Threats to kill using knives saw a modest increase, rising three percent from 5,797 in 2023 to 5,979 in 2024. The offences categorized as “possession of an article with a blade or point” have also shown a rise, with 28,150 reported in 2024 compared to the previous year’s 27,892, significantly higher than the pre-pandemic count of 23,264 in 2019/20.

A regional breakdown of the data shows London‘s Metropolitan Police accounted for 31 percent of the total offenses, with a rate of 188 per 100,000 individuals. West Midlands Police followed with a nine percent share, Greater Manchester Police at six percent, and West Yorkshire Police at four percent.

Personal thefts also substantially increased in England and Wales in 2024, up 22 percent compared to 2023. The survey highlighted a 50 percent rise in theft from the person, including mobile phone thefts, and a 19 percent rise in theft from outside residences.

Policing minister Dame Diana Johnson has reacted to the increases in crime, claiming the leftist Labour government “will not tolerate the criminality blighting our communities.”

Image by Alison Benbow.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Sports
UK

London Marathon Says Biological Men Can Still Compete as Women.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: London Marathon organisers will permit biologically male transgenders to compete in the mass participation female category despite a recent Supreme Court ruling.

👥 Who’s Involved: Hugh Brasher, race director for the London Marathon; World Athletics; Glenique Frank; Mara Yamauchi.

📍 Where & When: Announcement made in London, England, on April 23.

💬 Key Quote: Race director Hugh Brasher stated participants can compete in certain categories based on the gender they identify with.

⚠️ Impact: Transgender athletes can partake in certain races, though this decision is not yet aligned with recent legal clarifications by the British Supreme Court.

IN FULL:

The organisers of the London Marathon have confirmed that biologically male transgender athletes will still be able to compete in the women’s category of the main mass participation event, despite the recent legal ruling in the United Kingdom that gender corresponds to biological sex.

Hugh Brasher, the race director, stated on Wednesday that runners could compete in line with the gender they identify with for the mass participation segment of the race. However, the eligibility for female races in elite, championship, and “good for age” categories will remain restricted as per World Athletics’ guidelines from 2023.

“We are clear about what we have done and we are really clear about the competition element—anywhere where there is competition, and that includes good for age, has to be your biological birth sex,” Brasher said. However, while elite-level athletes will be unaffected, biological males competing as women will have their times erroneously logged among women in the mass participation race.

This decision comes in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling that defined sex based on biological criteria under the Equality Act. This judgment might impact the future inclusion of transgender individuals in single-sex spaces, including sports, possibly restricting their ability to file discrimination claims if excluded.

The London Marathon’s organisers have opted to maintain the current policy while awaiting advice from the Equality and Human Rights Commission and Sport England regarding the Supreme Court decision.

Other sports governing bodies like British Cycling, British Rowing, the Rugby Football Union, and UK Athletics have already implemented restrictions for transgender athletes in their events.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
William Upton
NatSec
World

Italy Struggling to Meet 2% NATO Spending Goal.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: NATO member state Italy is beginning to doubt it will meet the alliance’s two percent of GDP defense spending target, unless the organization accepts the country’s use of a budget gimmick to reclassify some non-military spending.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Italian government, NATO, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Concerns began arising in late April, with Italy having to submit its defense budget for review later this year.

💬 Key Quote: “Of course, there will be political pressure from both [the] EU and NATO to spend more,” an Italian government official said of efforts to hit NATO’s two percent of GDP defense spending target.

⚠️ Impact: If NATO and the European Commission reject Italy’s budget gimmick, the country will be pressured to increase its defense spending in real terms. That would likely require the Italian government to shift spending away from social welfare programs and could cause political unrest.

IN FULL:

While Italy continues to publicly insist it will reach the agreed-upon defense spending target for NATO member states, privately, officials in Rome are telling a very different story. Currently, member states are committed to reaching a defense spending rate of at least two percent of each country’s GDP.

For weeks, Italian government leaders have floated the prospect of reclassifying certain civil spending programs as military spending—a ploy they insist will get them past the two percent defense spending threshold. However, doubt is now mounting that such budget gimmicks will pass muster with NATO and the European Union (EU).

Conversely, while Italy struggles to hit the current two percent target, U.S. President Donald J. Trump is pushing NATO member states to increase their defense commitments to five percent of GDP. During Trump’s first term in office, he increased pressure on NATO to meet its defense obligations and not be overly reliant on the United States backfilling budget gaps with American taxpayer dollars.

The Italian government appears to believe that adjusting the categorization of money appropriated for its financial police and coast guard, along with other military-adjacent spending, will allow it to hit the current two percent target. If the budget gimmick is rejected, however, Italy may need to increase its military spending in real terms. This would likely require the Southern European nation to divert funding from its costly and overburdened social programs.

According to POLITICO, one Italian official contends, “Of course, there will be political pressure from both [the] EU and NATO to spend more.” Additionally, the official argues that an increase in Italy’s purchase of American weapons, even if just a slight increase, may help lessen the emphasis on strictly adhering to the two percent baseline. Last year, Italy’s defense spending comprised just 1.49 percent of the country’s GDP, one of the lowest ratios in Europe.

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By Popular Demand.
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14 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Guatemalans Charged in Murder Case Entered U.S. Illegally, Skipped Immigration Hearing.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has confirmed that a Guatemalan illegal, immigrant charged with murdering his girlfriend, and his uncle, arrested as an alleged accessory to the crime, entered the U.S. illegally and skipped their immigration court hearings.

👥 Who’s Involved: Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa, 23, is accused of killing his girlfriend, Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra. Rolvin Eduardo Barrera-Barrera, 37, is accused of assisting in concealing her body.

📍 Where & When: Charles County, Maryland, on April 17.

💬 Key Quote: ICE Baltimore acting Field Office Director Vernon Liggins stated, “The arrest of these two individuals marks a significant step towards justice.”

⚠️ Impact: This case highlights the ongoing concern regarding public safety and illegal immigration in the community.

IN FULL:

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers have detained two illegal immigrants who are Guatemalan nationals in a case involving the alleged murder of a Guatemalan woman in Maryland. Keycy Robinson Alexis Barrera-Rosa, 23, is accused of murdering his girlfriend, Lesbia Mileth Ramirez Guerra. Authorities also arrested Barrera-Rosa’s uncle, 37-year-old Rolvin Eduardo Barrera-Barrera, as an accessory to the crime after the fact.

ICE records indicate that both Barrera-Rosa and Barrera-Barrera entered the United States illegally near El Paso, Texas, in April 2019. They were issued Notices to Appear before a Department of Justice (DOJ) immigration judge; however, neither attended the hearing.

According to Charles County, Maryland police, the body of Ramirez Guerra was discovered buried in Cedarville State Forest, following her reported disappearance in March. The arrest was made by ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) officers, and Barrera-Rosa is currently held at the ICE Farmville Detention Center in Farmville, Virginia. Barrera-Barrera is detained without bond at the Charles County Detention Center, pending further legal process.

Vernon Liggins, the acting Field Office Director for ICE Baltimore, described the apprehension of the two suspects as a pivotal development in addressing the crime. “The arrest of these two individuals marks a significant step towards justice,” Liggins said, continuing: “This heinous crime not only devastated a community but also reinforced the urgent need to prioritize public safety by identifying, arresting, and removing egregious illegal aliens who threaten our neighborhoods.”

He added: “ICE will continue to work tirelessly, side by side with our law enforcement partners, to safeguard our communities and uphold the rule of law.”

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By Popular Demand.
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14 hours ago
William Upton
Election Integrity
Lawfare

Clinton Judge Blocks Trump Order Requiring Proof of Citizenship to Vote.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A Bill Clinton-appointed federal judge blocked part of an election integrity Executive Order issued by President Donald J. Trump requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, NAACP, Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Representative Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), the Democratic National Committee (DNC).

📍 Where & When: United States; Executive Order signed last month; ruling handed down in federal court on Thursday, April 24.

💬 Key Quote: “Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the States—not the President—with the authority to regulate federal elections. Consistent with that allocation of power, Congress is currently debating legislation that would effect many of the changes the President purports to order,” Judge Kollar-Kotelly wrote.

⚠️ Impact: While Judge Kollar-Kotelly’s ruling blocks the Trump EO’s proof of citizenship requirement, it leaves its other two provisions to prevent noncitizens from voting and reduce voter fraud intact.

IN FULL:

A federal judge has blocked part of an election integrity Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump. According to U.S. District Court Judge Colleen Kollar-Kotelly, the order’s provision requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote infringes upon constitutionally reserved powers for the respective State governments and Congress.

“Our Constitution entrusts Congress and the States—not the President—with the authority to regulate federal elections. Consistent with that allocation of power, Congress is currently debating legislation that would effect many of the changes the President purports to order,” Judge Kollar-Kotelly wrote in a 120-page opinion handed down on Thursday. The Bill Clinton appointee added: “No statutory delegation of authority to the Executive Branch permits the President to short-circuit Congress’s deliberative process by executive order.”

The ruling is the result of the consolidation of three cases filed after President Trump issued his election integrity order last month. The Democratic National Committee (DNC), Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) initiated one of the lawsuits. Other plaintiffs include the League of United Latin American Citizens and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).

While Judge Kollar-Kotelly blocked the citizenship provision in Trump’s Executive Order, she left the two other components of the presidential directive intact. These include a provision for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and the Department of State to provide the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) with data to aid it in identifying noncitizens currently on voting rolls. The other measure instructs the Department of Justice (DOJ) to initiate legal action against state governments that ignore a Trump administration requirement that mail-in ballots be received before or on election day to be counted.

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By Popular Demand.
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15 hours ago
Politics

Bannon: DOGE Must Open the Books, Guarantee Data Remains With Trump Admin After Musk Exit.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: WarRoom host and former White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon contends Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) need to open the agency’s books for public scrutiny after the billionaire tech mogul drastically reduced its spending cut targets. Bannon reiterated his continued support for President Donald J. Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

👥 Who’s Involved: Stephen K. Bannon, Elon Musk, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Remarks were made at the World Economy Summit in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday, April 23.

💬 Key Quote: Bannon stated that DOGE is a “blunt force instrument” meant to “deconstruct this choking administrative state,” but emphasized the need for accountability and transparency.

⚠️ Impact: Bannon’s comments may increase scrutiny of Musk, reflecting ongoing disputes over governmental roles and policies since Trump’s return to office.

IN FULL:

Former Trump White House chief strategist Stephen K. Bannon is arguing that the American people need to be given a closer look at the Department of Government Efficiency’s (DOGE) books, and guarantees that all of the data it has accessed and created will remain with the Trump administration. Bannon’s remarks were made Wednesday at the World Economy Summit in Washington, D.C., and come as DOGE’s chief advisor, billionaire technology mogul Elon Musk, says he will reduce his role with the agency significantly in May.

Notably, Musk has dramatically reduced the spending cuts targeted by DOGE, from $2 trillion in late 2024 to $1 trillion earlier this year, with his latest claim being that the agency is on track to achieve a comparatively modest $150 billion in reductions.

“He’s questioning the integrity of the system. We need to have a very specific accounting of what he found, as far as fraud goes, and waste… None of this makes sense. The cuts you’ve seen that have been announced are programmatic,” Bannon said on Wednesday, arguing that DOGE is a “blunt force instrument” but necessary to “deconstruct this choking administrative state.”

“Also, I think we have to have a letter of certification that not one data set or piece of data of the United States government or citizens of this country are held by anybody except for the Trump administration,” Bannon continued, before shifting to address the increasing role and importance of President Donald J. Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

“President Trump’s a very sophisticated businessman, but Scott is a safe pair of hands that understands capital markets deeply,” the WarRoom host said, adding: “He’s done this for 30 years. He has a very strong sense of what markets need to hear as far as information goes.”

Bannon has been a staunch advocate for Bessent, who is seen as a leading economic mind and someone deeply knowledgeable on monetary policy and macroeconomic analysis. In contrast, Musk was part of a camp that pushed for current Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick to serve as Treasury Secretary.

“I’ll be blunt: if Howard Lutnick had been Secretary of the Treasury, it would have been an unmitigated disaster,” the former White House chief strategist said. Bannon added: “This is about people putting their own interests first, like Elon, versus putting the nation’s interest first.”

WATCH:

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Election Integrity

Trump Sets Sights on Notorious Democrat Fundraising Machine.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump is looking to crack down on foreign donations to American elections, which could affect a major Democrat fundraising platform.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Donald J. Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Democratic Party, and ActBlue.

📍 Where & When: President Trump is expected to sign a memorandum this week.

💬 Key Quote: “[D]espite repeated instances of fraudulent donations to Democrat campaigns and causes from domestic and foreign sources, ActBlue is not demonstrating a serious effort to deter fraud on its platform.” — House Oversight and Administration Committees staff report.

⚠️ Impact: The crackdown could significantly impede one of the Democrats’ most influential fundraising platforms.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is set to crack down on the notorious Democrat fundraising platform ActBlue. The America First leader is expected to sign a memorandum on Thursday, April 24, targeting foreign contributions to American elections. Many have claimed that foreigners could exploit ActBlue for such purposes.

A senior White House official disclosed that Attorney General Pam Bondi will be tasked with investigating whether ActBlue facilitated contributions via “dummy” accounts or allowed foreign nationals to donate to Democratic entities.

Until recently, ActBlue did not mandate card verification value (CVV) numbers for financial transactions, and allegations arose about internal directives encouraging ActBlue employees to be “more lenient” in accepting contributions. Between September and October 2024 alone, at least 237 overseas transactions reportedly involving prepaid cards were identified as suspicious by Republicans.

“[D]espite repeated instances of fraudulent donations to Democrat campaigns and causes from domestic and foreign sources, ActBlue is not demonstrating a serious effort to deter fraud on its platform,” contends a House Oversight Committee and Administration Committee staff report on the issue.

U.S. federal law bans any foreign nationals and governments from contributing to federal, state, or local election campaigns. Still, a lack of vetting means foreign donor restrictions can be circumvented.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched his own investigation into ActBlue in December 2023. He alleges that the platform is being exploited to make straw donations using prepaid cards. Paxton has claimed there is evidence that people have used false identities and untraceable payment methods.

In December last year, a Wisconsin court approved a subpoena directed at ActBlue. This came after a GOP consultant claimed someone was using his identity to give money to the platform.

Jack Montgomery contributed to this report.

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
Politics

Greg Abbott Unveils ‘Texas DOGE’ Initiative.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) signed a bill to establish the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), likening it to the national Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).

👥 Who’s Involved: Governor Greg Abbott, Texas legislature, Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick, Senator Phil King, President Donald J. Trump, and Elon Musk.

📍 Where & When: Texas, United States; bill signed on Wednesday.

💬 Key Quote: Abbott on social media: “Texas will now have our own DOGE… This will make government more efficient and less costly.”

⚠️ Impact: The TREO aims to streamline state regulations by identifying and eliminating unnecessary rules to increase efficiency and promote economic growth.

IN FULL:

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has officially enacted a law establishing the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office (TREO), drawing inspiration from President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which technology and space exploration mogul Elon Musk advises. Signed into law late Wednesday, the TREO is designed to reduce state bureaucracy by identifying superfluous and ineffective regulations, thereby mirroring the objectives of the federal DOGE.

The Texas Legislature had previously approved the bill, which was introduced by Republican Senator Phil King. The bill also calls for the creation of an advisory council to recommend the elimination of excessive regulations found to be redundant or that hamper economic growth. Additionally, it mandates the launch of an online portal where Texans can access state agency regulations, coupled with a requirement for agencies to simplify language in regulatory documents.

“Signed SB 14 into law today at the Texas Capitol. Texas will now have our own DOGE, known as the Texas Regulatory Efficiency Office,” Gov. Abbott wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Wednesday. “This will make government more efficient and less costly. Texas continues to move at the speed of business.”

Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick has expressed support for the initiative, noting that it is expected to foster continued economic prosperity in Texas by reducing regulatory red tape. The Republican Lieutenant Governor described the initiative as “DOGE, Texas-style” and emphasized that the agency will be tasked with identifying and ending “unnecessary and ineffective rules.”

However, not all Texas Republicans support the new agency. Texas State Representative Brian Harrison (R), who opposed the bill creating TREO, argued during the legislative debate: “The point of DOGE is to cut government, reduce spending, and shrink the bureaucracy. Unfortunately, this bill does the exact opposite.”

Harrison and other opponents contend that TREO’s regulatory prerogatives already overlap with existing bodies like the Texas Sunset Advisory Commission. Critics argue this will create more government waste rather than less.

TREO is set to begin operating in September.

Image by World Travel & Tourism Council.

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By Popular Demand.
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17 hours ago
News

Trump Plans Massive 100-Foot Flagpoles at White House for American Flags.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump announced plans to install two new 100-foot-tall flagpoles on the White House grounds.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, National Park Service (NPS).

📍 Where & When: Washington D.C.; Announced on a Wednesday at a White House event.

💬 Key Quote: “They’ve needed flag poles for 200 years,” President Trump stated, adding, “We’re putting up a beautiful, almost 100-foot-tall American flag on this side, and another one on the other side—top-of-the-line, paid for by Trump.”

⚠️ Impact: The addition will bring prominent American flags to both the North and South lawns of the White House, supplementing the existing rooftop flagpole.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump is set to enhance the patriotic display on the White House grounds with the introduction of two new flagpoles, each reaching nearly 100 feet in height. Announced during a White House event on Wednesday, President Trump stated that these flagpoles would grace the North and South Lawns.

Later in the day, the President was seen on the North Lawn surveying the site where a flagpole will likely be placed. The initiative emerges from Trump’s push to see more visible symbols of national pride at national parks and other government property, including the White House.

Emphasizing the need for such installations, Trump remarked, “They’ve needed flag poles for 200 years.” He added: “We’re putting up a beautiful, almost 100-foot-tall American flag on this side, and another one on the other side—top-of-the-line, paid for by Trump.” A small flagpole is already mounted on the White House roof.

This gesture aims to reflect the administration’s focus on visibly promoting national symbols within high-profile government areas in the lead up to July’s celebrations of America’s 250th birthday. The National Park Service oversees the White House and its grounds, as the property is technically a national park owned by the American people and stewarded by the NPS. While details surrounding the exact timeline for the installations remain under wraps, the announcement suggests that planning and execution are underway.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
News
World

Government Outlaws Muslim Brotherhood.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: The Muslim Brotherhood has been banned in Jordan, with officials arresting 16 people linked to security threats involving weapons and explosives.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Jordanian government and security services, the Muslim Brotherhood.

📍 Where & When: Jordan, announcement made on Wednesday.

💬 Key Quote: Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh stated that “elements of the Muslim Brotherhood” had “worked in darkness to carry out activities that undermine stability and tamper with security and national unity.”

⚠️ Impact: The decision highlights Jordan’s measures to counter Islamist national security threats and points to broader concerns over the Muslim Brotherhood’s operations.

IN FULL:

The Kingdom of Jordan has taken action to ban the Muslim Brotherhood as of April 23, citing national security concerns. This move follows the April 15 acknowledgment by Jordanian security services of arrests involving 16 individuals accused of posing national security risks linked to weapons, explosives, and plans involving drones and fighter training.

Interior Minister Mazin Al Farrayeh explained the reasoning behind the ban, highlighting that elements of the Muslim Brotherhood “worked in darkness to carry out activities that undermine stability and tamper with security and national unity.”

The Muslim Brotherhood, established in 1928 by Hassan al-Banna in Egypt, has often been scrutinized. Al-Banna famously wrote that Islam is naturally inclined to assert its influence globally. In recent years, various entities have expressed concern about the group’s activities and influence. These include a 2007 declaration of support for Osama bin Laden.

During President Donald J. Trump’s first administration, there was consideration of potentially labeling the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization. European security services have mirrored these concerns, consistently taking a negative view of the Muslim Brotherhood’s presence. Investigations have pointed out elaborate networks linked to the group throughout Europe, operating under various front organizations.

Jordan is just the latest country to ban the Muslim Brotherhood in the Middle East. The organization is considered a terrorist group in Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, and Egypt.

Image via World Economic Forum.

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By Popular Demand.
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