Tuesday, December 16, 2025

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

Here’s a List of The Incredible Amount of Work From Trump’s First Week.

In just one week, President Trump has taken more than 300 executive actions, securing more than a trillion dollars in U.S. investment, overseeing a significant drop in illegal border crossings, deporting criminal illegal alien rapists, gang members, and suspected terrorists, and restoring common sense to the government.

The following information provided by the Trump White House presents a stark difference between his predecessor, and even eclipses his first term, flying in the face of critics from both left and right who suggested a second Trump term would be either “lame duck” or that the President was simply “too old” to hit the ground running.

SECURING THE HOMELAND:

  • Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem was confirmed by the U.S. Senate with bipartisan support.
  • A National Border Emergency has been declared.
  • Construction resumed on the U.S./Mexico border wall.
  • Deportation flights of criminal illegal aliens ramped up.
  • U.S. military troops are being deployed to assist in securing the southern border, while the Coast Guard is surging assets to the Gulf of America.
    • U.S. Northern Command: “Active-duty Marines and Soldiers continue to deploy and are integrating with @USNationalGuard forces already along the border and working together with the @DHSgov and @CBP.”
  • The so-called “CBP One” app — which “paroled” more than one million illegal immigrants into the country — was shut down.
  • The Department of Homeland Security is reviewing the parole status of illegal aliens who were allowed into the country under the Biden administration.
  • U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and other agencies began targeted operations in cities across the country to enforce immigration law, preserve public safety, and get criminals out of our communities.
    • Border Patrol Chief Michael Banks: “USBP agents and the U.S. Coast Guard apprehended an aggravated felon aboard a small boat in open waters near Puerto Rico. Biometric checks identified Dominican Republic national Ramon Perez-Valdez, who has a conviction for aggravated felony robbery involving a gun and a prior deportation. Additionally, officials will repatriate the 41 undocumented non-citizens on the boat to their home country.”
    • Breitbart News: “President Donald Trump’s administration arrested 538 illegal aliens on Thursday, ranging from child predators to gang members and a suspected terrorist.”
    • Fox News: “Between midnight Jan. 21 and 9 a.m. Jan 22, a 33-hour period, ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) arrested more than 460 illegal immigrants that include criminal histories of sexual assault, robbery, burglary, aggravated assault, drugs and weapons offenses, resisting arrest and domestic violence.”
    • The Washington Times: “ICE arrested 10 Tren de Aragua gang members, more than 400 criminals in one day”
    • New York Post: “Trump’s ICE raids turn up pedophiles, gangbangers, and NY-based suspected terrorist as 538 migrants arrested: ‘Heinous crimes’”
    • Fox News: “Trump’s ICE racks up hundreds of arrests, including illegal immigrants arrested for horror crimes”
    • Fox’s Bill Melugin: “ICE has arrested three more Venezuelan Tren de Aragua gang members, all of whom were previously caught and released at the border by the Biden administration in 2023.”
    • ICE: “Pablo Beningo Calva-Deamonte, a Mexican national with three DUI convictions, faces removal after his arrest by @ERODenver officers Jan. 22. The criminal alien has already been removed from the U.S. twice.”
    • ICE: “Jose Roberto Rodriguez-Urbina, an alleged MS-13 gang member, faces removal after his arrest by @ERONewYork on Jan. 22. He’s wanted in El Salvador on extortion charges.”
    • ICE: “Adan Pablo-Ramirez, a Mexican national with 2 DUIs, faces removal after his arrest by @EROChicago on Jan. 22. He has an existing removal order from 2019.”
    • New York Post: “Feds round up 50 Tren de Aragua members at ‘makeshift nightclub’ in Aurora, Colorado as DEA, ICE hit cities across US”
    • DEA Rocky Mountain: “#DEA agents, @HSIDenver @ERODenver @ATF_Denver & local partners conduct an early AM operation targeting drug trafficking & members of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA). Drugs, weapons, and cash were seized in Adams County. Nearly 50 illegal aliens were taken into custody.”
    • Fox News: “ICE arrests nearly 1,000 illegal aliens during sixth day of Trump administration”
  • Encounters with illegal aliens at the southern border have “plummeted” as Border Patrol agents are once again allowed to enforce the law.
    • NewsNation’s Ali Bradley: “Border Patrol agents will once again be engaging in pursuits with suspected human and drug smugglers down here at the southern border … The practice was essentially prohibited under the Biden Administration.”
  • The Department of Homeland Security reinstated use of the term “illegal alien.”
  • The Department of Justice announced it will take action against so-called “sanctuary cities” for obstruction of U.S. law.

UNLEASHING AMERICAN ENERGY.

  • A National Energy Emergency has been declared to unlock our full energy potential and bring down costs for American families.
  • Every one of the Biden administration’s job-killing, pro-China, anti-American energy regulations have been rescinded.
  • Americans have been empowered with choices in vehicles, showerheads, toilets, washing machines, light bulbs, and dishwashers.
  • The job-killing Green New Scam was terminated.
  • The United States withdrew from the disastrous Paris Climate Agreement, which unfairly ripped off our country.
  • New federal leasing and permitting for massive wind farms, which degrade our natural landscapes and fail to serve American consumers, have been paused.
  • Bureaucratic regulations, which impeded Alaska’s ability to develop its vast natural resources, have been reversed.
  • Offshore drilling has been opened to “drill, baby, drill.”
  • The Biden-era electric vehicle mandate was terminated.
  • The Department of Energy ended the Liquefied Natural Gas pause and returned to regular order.

INVESTMENTS AND INFRASTRUCTURE:

  • President Trump announced the largest Artificial Intelligence infrastructure project in history with $500 billion in planned private sector investment.
  • Saudi Arabia declared its intention to invest $600 billion in the United States over the next four years.
  • After meeting with President Trump, Stellantis announced it will reopen its assembly plant in Belvidere, Illinois — putting 1,500 employees back to work — and build its next-generation Dodge Durango in Detroit, Michigan. The company also announced new investments in their Toledo, Ohio, and Kokomo, Indiana, facilities.
  • Electronics giants Samsung and LG “are considering moving their plants in Mexico to the US.”
  • The Wall Street Journal: “Trump Tells Davos: Make Your Product in America—or Pay Tariffs”

FOREIGN POLICY:

  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio was unanimously confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
  • Colombia agreed to President Donald Trump’s terms and will accept flights of Colombian illegal aliens being returned on military planes.
  • The Department of State declared an America First foreign policy.
  • The Department of State issued a “pause” on existing foreign aid grants to ensure accountability and efficiency.
  • President Trump continues to secure the release of hostages held by Hamas terrorists.
  • The Iran-backed Houthis were redesignated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization.
  • President Trump announced “urgent and decisive retaliatory measures” against Colombia for its refusal to accept repatriation flights of deportees from the U.S.
  • The State Department announced it will “no longer undertake any activities that facilitate or encourage mass migration.”
  • Belarus unilaterally released an innocent American citizen, Anastassia Nuhfer, who was taken during the Biden administration.
  • The Department of State ordered embassies worldwide to only fly the American flag — not activist flags.
  • The Mexico City Policy was reinstated to ensure no taxpayer dollars support foreign organizations that perform, or actively promote, abortion in other nations.
  • The United States is rejoining the Geneva Consensus Declaration, which promotes and strengthens opportunities for women and girls around the world, and protects the family as the fundamental unit of society.
  • Bloomberg: “One by One, World Leaders in Davos Fall in Line in Trump Era”

COMMON SENSE AND KILLING ‘WOKE’:

  • Discriminatory “DEI” offices, employees, and practices have been eliminated across the bureaucracy alongside a return to merit-based hiring.
    • Fox News: “Trump’s federal DEI purge puts hundreds on leave, nixes $420M in contracts”
  • The Federal Aviation Administration must return to merit-based hiring for all positions.
  • Affirmative action in federal government hiring has ended.
  • All federal employees have been ordered to return to the workplace.
  • It is now the official policy of the U.S. government that there are only two sexes.
  • The weaponization of the federal government against its citizens has ended.
  • Censorship by the government against its own citizens has ended in favor of free speech.
  • President Trump renamed the Gulf of Mexico to the Gulf of America.
  • President Trump restored the name Mount McKinley to North America’s highest peak.
  • The Department of Government Efficiency was established to maximize government productivity and ensure the best use of taxpayer funds.
    • DOGE: “In the first 80 hours, approx $420M of current/impending contracts have been canceled. 2 leases have also been canceled. Initial focus is mainly on DEI contracts and unoccupied buildings.”
  • Security clearances were stripped from the infamous 51 “Spies Who Lied” and other intelligence officials who misused the public trust.
  • CIA Director John Ratcliffe released a buried official assessment declaring the pandemic likely originated in a Wuhan lab.

DEFENDING AMERICA:

  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth was confirmed by the U.S. Senate.
  • Secretary Hegseth declared “no more DEI” at the Department of Defense.
  • Secretary Hegseth outlined President Trump’s “Peace through Strength” mission: “We will do this in three ways — by restoring the warrior ethos, rebuilding our military, and reestablishing deterrence.”
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.
More From The Pulse

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

India Sees Sharp Rise in Anti-Christian Attacks, Weak Government Response: Report.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A report by the United Christian Forum indicates a significant rise in anti-Christian violence in India, with a 500 percent increase over the last decade.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The United Christian Forum nonprofit, the Christian minority in India, and India’s ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Anti-Christian attacks are ongoing, primarily in five Indian states, including Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.

🎯IMPACT: The rise in violence has led to protests and increased scrutiny of India’s human rights record, affecting its international image.

IN FULL

A recent report issued by the United Christian Forum notes a concerning rise in anti-Christian violence in India, with a 500 percent increase in incidents over the last decade. In 2025 alone, there have been 549 recorded attacks, yet only 39 resulted in police investigations, indicating a 93 percent impunity rate.

Since 2014, under Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) rule, the growth of Hindutva ideology—effectively Hindu nationalism—has led to a political climate where violence against Christians is often overlooked. The BJP’s governance has seen the enactment of anti-conversion laws in several states, which critics argue are used to harass religious minorities.

The report notes that 77 percent of these attacks are concentrated in five states, including Uttar Pradesh and Chhattisgarh, affecting communities largely composed of Dalits—historically considered “untouchables” at the bottom of India’s caste system—who have converted to Christianity. These groups face significant persecution, including beatings, church burnings, and social exclusion.

In response to the ongoing violence, a large protest took place in New Delhi on November 29, 2025, organized by Christian groups to demand the protection of their rights and freedoms, supposedly guaranteed by the Indian Constitution. Around 2,000 Christians marched in protest against the increasing violence against their community and highlighted the exclusion of Christian Dalits from social programs.

India is currently seeking to be added as a permanent seat on the United Nations (UN) Security Council.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

U.S. Air Force Tanker Narrowly Misses Passenger Jet Near Venezuela.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. Air Force refueling tanker failed to communicate its position, narrowly avoiding a collision with a commercial JetBlue flight.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: JetBlue Flight 1112, the U.S. Air Force, Curaçao air traffic control, U.S. Southern Command, and Venezuelan authorities.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Friday, approximately 20 minutes after JetBlue Flight 1112 departed from Curaçao, about 40 miles off Venezuela’s coast.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous. We almost had a midair collision up here.” – JetBlue pilot

🎯IMPACT: Federal authorities have been alerted, and investigations are underway into the U.S. military’s actions in Caribbean airspace.

IN FULL

A U.S. Air Force refueling tanker narrowly avoided colliding with a JetBlue passenger jet after the military aircraft failed to properly communicate its position, forcing the commercial pilot to take evasive action shortly after takeoff from Curaçao. JetBlue Flight 1112 was en route to New York when the encounter occurred roughly 20 minutes into the flight. The JetBlue pilot immediately reported the incident to air traffic control, expressing alarm over the tanker’s apparent lack of visibility on radar. “They don’t have their transponder turned on, it’s outrageous. We almost had a midair collision up here,” the pilot said.

Air traffic controllers confirmed they were unable to see the tanker on their radar systems and noted that similar issues involving unidentified military aircraft had recently been reported in the area. Curaçao air traffic control subsequently warned other pilots operating in the region about the aircraft.

U.S. Southern Command acknowledged the reports and said it is reviewing what happened. “Safety remains a top priority, and we are working through the appropriate channels to assess the facts surrounding the situation,” Colonel Manny Ortiz said.

JetBlue confirmed that it has reported the incident to federal authorities and said it will cooperate fully with any investigation.

The near miss occurred amid increased U.S. military activity in the Caribbean, linked to efforts targeting drug traffickers and possibly Venezuela‘s Marxist dictator, Nicolás Maduro. Recent operations have included the seizure of a stateless oil tanker, which Maduro described as an “act of piracy.” U.S. military operations in the region have also included strikes on drug-smuggling vessels, which have reportedly resulted in more than 80 deaths.

The incident adds to a growing list of recent aviation safety concerns involving both military and commercial aircraft. Earlier this year, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided with a passenger jet near Reagan National Airport in Washington, D.C., killing 67 people. Investigators later determined that the helicopter pilot ignored critical flight instructions in the moments before the crash.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

Bessent Replaces Biden-Era DEI Coins for America’s 250th Birthday.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Mint revealed new coin designs for America’s 250th anniversary, featuring eagles, pilgrims, and George Washington, while dropping diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) themes selected by the former Biden government.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, the U.S. Mint, the Trump administration, and the former Biden government.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced December 2025 by the U.S. Mint.

💬KEY QUOTE: The Trump administration noted the Biden-era designs “did not feature a single Founding Father but instead emphasized diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) themes.”

🎯IMPACT: The redesign shifts focus back to America’s Founding Fathers and traditional symbols, moving away from DEI-centric themes.

IN FULL

The U.S. Mint has dropped diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) themes selected by the former Biden government to adorn coins commemorating America’s 250th anniversary. Instead, new designs have been chosen that feature traditional American symbols, such as eagles, pilgrims, and President George Washington.

Notably, the Biden-era coin designs—which were never publicly released—focused heavily on DEI-related imagery and omitted the Founding Fathers entirely. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent reportedly scrapped those plans under the guidance of the Trump White House.

The U.S. Mint has not officially commented on or released images of the Biden-era concepts. However, the Trump White House has criticized the previous designs for sidelining America’s historical figures and traditional values in favor of a DEI-oriented narrative. The new designs appear to reflect a return to celebrating the country’s founding and heritage.

The National Pulse reported in early October that the U.S. Mint was considering a $1 commemorative coin celebrating the United States of America’s 250th birthday that will feature an image of President Donald J. Trump. The U.S. Treasurer, Brandon Beach, revealed the proposed design, stating, “No fake news here. These first drafts honoring America’s 250th Birthday and [President Trump] are real.”

The front of the coin features President Trump in profile, like other presidents appearing on U.S. currency. On the back of the coin is an engraving of Trump standing in front of an American flag, raising his fist into the air—a reference to him raising his fist after being shot in the ear by a would-be assassin during a rally in Butler, Pennsylvania.

Notably, U.S. law technically prohibits living presidents from appearing on the country’s currency. However, commemorative coins struck by the U.S. Mint are allowed to feature living presidents while also retaining their denominated value.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

Trump to Declare Fentanyl a Weapon of Mass Destruction.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced plans to classify fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” to intensify his fight against drug smuggling.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, U.S. troops, and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, in the Oval Office, Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There’s no doubt that America’s adversaries are trafficking fentanyl into the United States in part because they want to kill Americans. If this were a war, that would be one of the worst wars.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The classification could lead to harsher penalties for traffickers and increase efforts to curb fentanyl smuggling.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump announced on Monday that he will move to designate fentanyl as a “weapon of mass destruction” as part of his intensified campaign against drug smuggling. Speaking from the Oval Office, where he was presenting medals to U.S. troops patrolling the U.S.-Mexico border, Trump emphasized the deadly impact of fentanyl and its role in harming Americans.

“There’s no doubt that America’s adversaries are trafficking fentanyl into the United States in part because they want to kill Americans. If this were a war, that would be one of the worst wars,” Trump said. He compared the current crisis to the Opium Wars of the 19th century, when China suffered from widespread drug addiction and foreign exploitation.

Fentanyl, despite having legitimate medical uses, is lethal in small doses and is often smuggled across the U.S.-Mexico border or through international mail systems. Nearly 330,000 Americans died from fentanyl overdoses in the five-year period ending in April, highlighting the scale of the crisis.

Trump noted that China is the primary source of illegal fentanyl. He previously met with Chinese President Xi Jinping, who pledged to work on limiting fentanyl trafficking. The President did not specify the immediate effects of the new classification but indicated that it could result in tougher criminal charges for traffickers and bolster efforts to combat the influx of the deadly drug.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

DOJ Accuses Democratic Campaign Arm of Obstruction in California Redistricting Case.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) accused the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC) of withholding key redistricting documents related to California’s Proposition 50.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The DOJ, the DCCC, consultant Paul Mitchell, and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The allegations surfaced ahead of a three-day federal court hearing beginning Monday in California.

💬KEY QUOTE: A source familiar with the DOJ’s thinking described the redistricting effort as a “brazen power grab” and accused the Newsom administration of “covering up the racially driven design” of the map.

🎯IMPACT: The DOJ claims the map prioritizes racial considerations, potentially violating constitutional protections, and has asked the court to block Proposition 50.

IN FULL

In a new federal court filing, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) contends the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee (DCCC)—the House Democrats’ official campaign arm—worked to actively obstruct and interfere with the discovery process in a lawsuit concerning California’s Proposition 50. The DOJ alleges that the DCCC, along with consultant Paul Mitchell, withheld key documents and provided a massive data dump of files just days before a federal court hearing began—in an apparent attempt to prevent DOJ attorneys from having enough time to review the evidence.

According to the DOJ, Mitchell’s records included evidence that racial considerations were prioritized in the redistricting process. One slide deck reportedly promoted how the map would increase voting opportunities for Latino residents. The DOJ further stated that the DCCC misled the court by claiming it lacked control over Mitchell’s records, despite having a contractual right to access them.

The lawsuit, which the DOJ joined alongside the California Republican Party, alleges that Proposition 50 constitutes unconstitutional racial gerrymandering. The ballot measure, passed in November, allows for a new congressional map to be drawn in time for the 2026 midterms. The DOJ argues that the map was designed to favor Democrats and cancel out likely Republican gains from redistricting efforts in Texas.

A source familiar with the DOJ’s position criticized Governor Gavin Newsom‘s (D-CA) administration, telling media it appeared to be “covering up the racially driven design” of the map. The source described the plan as a “brazen power grab” that divides voters based on race and undermines the electoral process.

The DCCC has denied the allegations, claiming the DOJ is overstating its access to Mitchell’s files and attempting to “slam square pegs into round holes” to bolster its case. The DOJ has requested that the court find race to have been a significant factor in the drawing of the map, which would support the broader claim that Proposition 50 violates constitutional protections.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

Obama Judge Faces Backlash for Praising Convicted Illegal Immigrant Rapist.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: An illegal immigrant convicted of raping a woman with cerebral palsy could walk free sooner than expected after a judge reduced his sentence.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Honduran illegal immigrant Edys Renan Membreño Díaz and U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Sentencing occurred in August, with appeals filed in October, in Michigan.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You’ve taken responsibility for that, expressed remorse for that, and you are serving a lengthy state sentence as punishment for that conduct.” – Judge Judith Levy

🎯IMPACT: Federal prosecutors are appealing the judge’s decision to reduce the sentence, citing its leniency and lack of weight on the violent crime.

IN FULL

U.S. District Court Judge Judith Levy, appointed to the bench by former President Barack Obama, is facing significant backlash over an inexplicable decision granting a light sentence to illegal immigrant Edys Renan Membreño Díaz, a 30-year-old Honduran national, convicted of raping a woman with cerebral palsy and cognitive delays. Membreño Díaz has faced multiple deportations and illegally re-entered the United States at least seven times.

Appointed as the first openly lesbian U.S. district judge in the Eastern District of Michigan by Barack Obama, Levy reduced Membreño Díaz’s sentence by two years, sparing him additional time in prison. During his sentencing in August, Levy praised the illegal immigrant, calling him an “ambassador for living up to our immigration restrictions.” Membreño Díaz was convicted of dragging his cognitively impaired victim into the laundry room of her apartment building before committing the sexual assault.

Assistant Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin criticized the decision, describing it as “unspeakable depravity” and “truly wicked.” Federal prosecutors have since appealed the ruling, with Assistant U.S. Attorney Meghan Sweeney Bean arguing that the sentence was “substantively unreasonable” and failed to address the severity of the crime adequately.

Membreño Díaz, who pleaded guilty to three sex crimes in Michigan in 2022, claimed during his sentencing. “I was drunk, and I apologize to everybody, to all the American citizens. I wish to go back to my country and not to come back to the United States.” He also claimed he would discourage others in Honduras from entering the U.S. illegally.

Judge Levy defended her decision, commending Membreño Díaz for supposedly taking responsibility for his family and for his work in the United States. “I commend you for supporting your family, for expressing your devotion to them, and for working here in the United States in jobs that Americans apparently do not want to work in,” Levy stated. Prosecutors say that the ruling downplays the gravity of his crimes.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

White House Strongly Rebukes Israel for Breaking Gaza Ceasefire.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The White House reprimanded Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for allegedly breaking a ceasefire with Hamas after the killing of a senior Hamas military commander, Raed Saad, on Saturday.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and White House officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ceasefire breach occurred on Saturday, December 13, 2025, following the killing of Raed Saad, with reactions unfolding in the U.S. and Israel.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If you want to ruin your reputation and show that you don’t abide by agreements, be our guest, but we won’t allow you to ruin President Trump’s reputation after he brokered the deal in Gaza,” the White House message reportedly stated.

🎯IMPACT: Concerns have been raised about the potential harm to U.S.-brokered peace efforts, including the Abraham Accords, and the perception of Israel’s actions in the Arab world.

IN FULL

The White House has reportedly expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Israel killed Hamas military commander Raed Saad. According to reports, the U.S. views the action as a breach of the ceasefire agreement negotiated by President Donald J. Trump in August.

White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Trump adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner have reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu over issues related to Gaza. One U.S. official, speaking with the media, stated that Witkoff and Kushner are “pissed by Israeli inflexibility around several Gaza-related issues.”

A senior U.S. official reportedly conveyed a strong message to Netanyahu, saying, “If you want to ruin your reputation and show that you don’t abide by agreements, be our guest, but we won’t allow you to ruin President Trump’s reputation after he brokered the deal in Gaza.”

An Israeli official, however, pushed back on the claims, arguing that the killing of Raed Saad was a response to Hamas violations of the ceasefire, including attacks on soldiers and weapons smuggling. “The killing of Raed Saad, an arch-terrorist who worked day in and day out to violate the agreement and renew the fighting, was carried out in response to these violations and was intended to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire,” the Israeli official said.

The White House is also reportedly concerned about Israeli settler violence against Palestinians in the West Bank, which it believes could hinder efforts to expand the Abraham Accords to countries like Saudi Arabia. A U.S. official emphasized the importance of de-escalation, stating, “The Trump administration is doing a lot of hard work to fix it. But if Netanyahu doesn’t want to take the steps that are needed to de-escalate, we are not going to waste our time trying to expand the Abraham Accords.”

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

Kamala Harris Is Preparing for 2028 Presidential Bid: Dem Insiders.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Former Vice President Kamala Harris is reportedly preparing for a 2028 White House run, despite her previous loss to President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kamala Harris, her husband Doug Emhoff, Democratic Party insiders, and Harris’s spokeswoman Kirsten Allen.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Harris’s book tour stops in 2026 will include South Carolina, Detroit, Jackson, Memphis, and Montgomery. She also spoke at the DNC winter meeting in Los Angeles.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Both parties have failed to hold the public’s trust. Government is viewed as fundamentally unable to meet the needs of its people…. People are done with the status quo, and they’re ready to break things to force change.” – Kamala Harris

🎯IMPACT: Harris remains a top Democratic contender for 2028, with notable support among black Democrats, as she positions herself for another presidential campaign.

IN FULL

Former Vice President Kamala Harris is signaling a possible return to presidential politics in 2028, according to recent reporting and her expanding public schedule, despite her historic defeat by President Donald J. Trump in both the Electoral College and the popular vote in 2024.

Democratic Party insiders claim that Harris’s recent actions suggest she is laying the groundwork for another White House run. Central to that effort is an extended promotional tour for her memoir, 107 Days, which recounts her 2024 campaign. Upcoming stops include early primary states such as South Carolina, along with cities that have large black voter populations, including Detroit, Jackson, Memphis, and Montgomery. Harris continues to perform well among black Democrats in early primary polling, a factor that has kept her near the top of lists of potential 2028 contenders.

Harris and her husband, Doug Emhoff, recently attended the Democratic National Committee’s winter meeting in Los Angeles, California, where they met with national and state party officials. While addressing the gathering, Harris delivered a broad critique of the current political system, saying, “Both parties have failed to hold the public’s trust. Government is viewed as fundamentally unable to meet the needs of its people… People are done with the status quo, and they’re ready to break things to force change.”

Her spokeswoman, Kirsten Allen, said Harris would approach the coming election cycles with a continued emphasis on public engagement, stating that Harris is focused on “listening to the American people, reflecting where leadership has fallen short, and helping shape the path forward beyond this political moment.”

Harris is also scheduled to appear on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as part of her ongoing media outreach, adding to speculation that she is maintaining a national profile for future campaigns.

Earlier this year, Harris announced that she would not run for Governor of California in 2026, ending speculation that she might pivot to state politics.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

Zelensky Ready to Drop NATO Bid for Peace Deal.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky announced that Ukraine is dropping its North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) membership bid as part of ongoing peace negotiations with Russia.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump evoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Sunday during peace talks in Brussels, Belgium.

💬KEY QUOTE: “From the very beginning, Ukraine’s conditions—or perhaps more accurately, our ambition—was NATO membership. And that would have provided real security guarantees. Some partners from the United States and Europe did not support this direction,” said Zelensky.

🎯IMPACT: Dropping the NATO bid aligns with a key Russian demand and could move peace negotiations forward.

IN FULL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has announced that Ukraine will no longer pursue membership in the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) alliance, describing the move as part of a compromise tied to ongoing peace negotiations with Russia. The talks have involved several international intermediaries, including German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Trump administration representatives Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.

Speaking to journalists via WhatsApp, Zelensky said Ukraine’s long-standing goal of joining NATO had not received full backing from its partners. “From the very beginning, Ukraine’s conditions – or perhaps more accurately, our ambition – was NATO membership. And that would have provided real security guarantees. Some partners from the United States and Europe did not support this direction,” he said.

Zelensky explained that Kiev is now seeking bilateral security guarantees from Western allies such as the United States, some European countries, Canada, and Japan as an alternative. He said these guarantees are intended to deter future Russian aggression, but described the shift away from NATO as a significant concession. “This already is a compromise on our part,” he added.

Ukraine’s NATO aspirations have been central to its foreign policy, particularly since Russia launched its full-scale invasion in February 2022. Moscow has consistently demanded that Ukraine abandon its bid to join the alliance, with Russian President Vladimir Putin framing NATO expansion as a direct threat to Russia’s security. Renouncing designs on NATO membership has therefore been a recurring Russian condition in peace discussions.

The announcement comes despite previous statements from NATO leadership that Ukraine’s path toward membership was “irreversible.” While NATO officials have repeatedly emphasized political support for Ukraine, alliance members have also been divided on the timing and feasibility of accession, especially during an active conflict. Public opinion and political resistance in parts of Europe have further complicated Ukraine’s broader integration with Western institutions, including the European Union (EU).

U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff, speaking after meetings in Brussels, Belgium, said that “a lot of progress was made” in the negotiations, though he offered no details. Talks are scheduled to continue on Monday, when both sides are expected to present updated proposals.

The development comes as the United States continues to support Ukraine militarily through indirect means, including arms sales to NATO allies who then transfer weapons to Kiev. That approach has allowed Washington to maintain support for Ukraine while navigating political and strategic sensitivities surrounding NATO involvement.

Image via the Office of the President of Ukraine.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.

WE ARE 100% INDEPENDENT AND READER-FUNDED. FOR A GUARANTEED AD-FREE EXPERIENCE AND TO SUPPORT REAL NEWS, PLEASE SIGN UP HERE, TODAY.

Hunter Biden Disbarred Over Illegal Gun Ownership, Tax Fraud Convictions.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Hunter Biden was disbarred in Connecticut for violations of attorney conduct rules following complaints related to his federal convictions on gun and tax charges.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hunter Biden, Connecticut state Judge Patrick L. Carroll III, attorney Ross Garber, and complainants Paul Dorsey and Leanne Larson.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monday, Waterbury, Connecticut, during a virtual court hearing.

💬KEY QUOTE: The judge cited Hunter Biden’s conduct as involving “dishonesty, fraud, deceit or misrepresentation.”

🎯IMPACT: Hunter Biden admitted to attorney misconduct, leading to his disbarment in Connecticut and earlier in Washington, D.C.

IN FULL

Hunter Biden was disbarred in Connecticut on Monday after a judge determined he violated the state’s attorney conduct rules. The decision follows complaints tied to his federal convictions on gun and tax charges, for which he was later pardoned by his father, former President Joe Biden.

During a virtual court hearing in Waterbury, Biden consented to disbarment and admitted to attorney misconduct, but did not admit to any criminal wrongdoing. This marks his second disbarment, following an earlier decision in Washington, D.C., in May.

The Connecticut state judge, Patrick L. Carroll III, found that Biden’s actions involved “dishonesty, fraud, deceit, or misrepresentation.” In a court document, Biden admitted to some but not all of the misconduct allegations. His lawyer, Ross Garber, represented him during the proceedings.

Paul Dorsey, one of the complainants, objected to the agreement, arguing that Biden did not admit to committing crimes. However, Leanne Larson, an attorney with the Office of Chief Disciplinary Counsel, referenced the pardon granted by former President Joe Biden.

Hunter Biden, a Yale Law School graduate, was admitted to the Connecticut bar in 1997. His legal troubles include a conviction in Delaware federal court for lying on a federal form about drug use while purchasing a firearm, as well as a separate case in California involving unpaid federal taxes.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
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.