Monday, June 30, 2025

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Marxist Turned Conservative Firebrand David Horowitz Passes Away at 86.

PULSE POINTS:

What Happened: David Horowitz, a prominent conservative commentator, author, and activist, passed away at 86 on April 29, 2025, after a long battle with cancer, as announced by the David Horowitz Freedom Center.

👥 Who’s Involved: David Horowitz, the David Horowitz Freedom Center, his son Benjamin Horowitz of Andreessen Horowitz, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: Announced via social media by the David Horowitz Freedom Center on April 29, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: The center stated, “On behalf of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, we are very saddened to announce the passing of the Center’s founder, David Horowitz.”

⚠️ Impact: Horowitz’s death marks the loss of a prominent conservative voice whose advocacy for freedom and support for President Trump influenced generations, leaving a lasting impact on American political discourse.

IN FULL:

David Horowitz passed away on April 29, 2025, at the age of 86, after a prolonged battle with cancer. The David Horowitz Freedom Center, the think tank he established, shared the news on social media, stating, “On behalf of the David Horowitz Freedom Center, we are very saddened to announce the passing of the Center’s founder, David Horowitz.” His death closes a chapter for a man whose journey from Marxism to conservative activism shaped decades of political dialogue in America.

Born in Queens, New York, Horowitz earned a Bachelor of Arts from Columbia University and a Master’s from the University of California, Berkeley. Initially a Marxist, he later became a staunch defender of conservative values, authoring numerous books and founding the David Horowitz Freedom Center to oppose radical leftist and Islamic extremist ideologies. His son, Benjamin Horowitz, co-founder of the venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz, posted an obituary on social media reflecting on his father’s career and his endorsement of President Donald J. Trump.

The obituary recounted a poignant moment from last year when Benjamin met President Trump and mentioned his father: “President Trump’s face immediately lit up and he insisted that Benjamin get David on the phone immediately.” Despite being hospitalized and frail, Horowitz was “delighted to speak with the President,” showcasing his enduring belief in the America First agenda.

Horowitz leaves behind his fourth wife, April Mullvain, sons Benjamin and Jonathan, and daughter Anne. His other daughter, Sarah Rose, passed away in 2008. The obituary states, “In the end, David helped countless people and expended every fiber of his being pushing society towards freedom. He may not have saved the world, but he most certainly made it a better place—especially for us. He was our super hero and we will love him forever.”

WATCH:

Image by Mark Taylor.

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NIH Funded Hundreds of Genetically Engineered COVID Variants.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A peer-reviewed study revealed that U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH)-funded researchers created over 200 synthetic SARS-CoV-2 constructs using genetic engineering.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Researchers at Washington University School of Medicine, funded by NIH grants, conducted the study.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Published January 15, 2025, in the journal Science Advances, research conducted in federally regulated BSL-3 labs.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We generated genetically BC [barcoded] SARS-CoV-2 viruses… We pooled >200 BC viruses and WT-D614G based on equal infectious viral titers,” the study stated.

🎯IMPACT: The study raises concerns about taxpayer-funded research creating transmissibility-enhanced pathogens despite the experience of the Wuhan virus pandemic.

IN FULL

A peer-reviewed study published earlier this year confirms that the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH) funded researchers to create over 200 synthetic versions of the SARS-CoV-2 virus. These were developed using lab-based genetic engineering to construct novel entities not found in nature.

The study, published on January 15, 2025, in the journal Science Advances, was conducted at Washington University School of Medicine and supported by multiple NIH grants. The research team employed a reverse genetics system to assemble genetic material and created a pool of over 200 genetically barcoded versions of the virus, each carrying a unique tracking barcode.

The authors confirmed that these synthetic constructs do not resemble any naturally occurring SARS-CoV-2 lineage. “We generated genetically BC [barcoded] SARS-CoV-2 viruses… We pooled >200 BC viruses and WT-D614G based on equal infectious viral titers,” the study explained. The work adhered to NIH biosafety protocols and was carried out in federally regulated BSL-3 biocontainment labs.

Additionally, these constructs were engineered to include the D614G spike mutation, a genetic alteration associated with increased transmissibility in humans and animals. The study notes, “We also introduced a D614G mutation in the Spike gene of SARS-CoV-2.” This mutation has been linked to gain-of-function traits, enhancing the pathogen’s ability to bind to host cells and sustain transmission.

While researchers framed the project as a tool to study viral transmission, the creation of transmissibility-enhanced constructs raises serious safety questions. The COVID-19 pandemic is widely believed to have been caused by a leak following similar research at a lab in Wuhan, China.

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Two Firefighters Have Been Killed in a ‘Sniper Fire’ Ambush.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Firefighters responding to a blaze on Canfield Mountain in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, came under “active sniper fire,” resulting in at least two deaths.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Firefighters, Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris, Idaho Gov. Brad Little, and an unidentified suspect armed with a high-powered rifle.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident began around 1:21 PM local time on Sunday, June 29, on Canfield Mountain, a popular recreation area in North Idaho.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We do believe the suspect started the fire, it was an ambush, and it was totally intentional. This was a total ambush. These firefighters did not have a chance,” Sheriff Bob Norris said.

🎯IMPACT: After a standoff lasting around 90 minutes, cell phone data suggested the shooter was no longer moving on the mountain, and he was discovered to be deceased by law enforcement. It remains unclear whether police killed the man or if he took his own life.

IN FULL

Authorities in Coeur D’Alene, Idaho, took “active sniper fire” for nearly two hours after firefighters responded to a call reporting a fire on Canfield Mountain. At least two firefighters were killed, and one was critically injured. Kootenai County Sheriff Bob Norris stated the fire was reported at 1:21 PM local time, and shots were fired at first responders around 2 PM. After a lengthy standoff, law enforcement discovered the body of a man believed to have been the suspect, though it is unclear whether the police killed the suspect or if he took his own life.

“We do believe the suspect started the fire, it was an ambush, and it was totally intentional,” Norris said. “This was a total ambush,” Sheriff Norris said, adding: “These firefighters did not have a chance.” Law enforcement from local, state, and federal agencies responded to the scene, with the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) dispatching a helicopter for aerial support.

Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) condemned the attack, calling it a “heinous direct assault on our brave firefighters” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Thank God it’s over. It’s so tragic,” Kootenai County Commissioner Bruce Mattare said late Sunday, adding, “The people we lost were absolutely top-notch professionals. It’s unheard of for something like this to happen in this community. People are still trying to process exactly what happened.”

The shooter’s identity remains unclear, and law enforcement continues to work the crime scene, gathering evidence before it is damaged or destroyed by fire. At this time, it is believed the suspect acted alone. The brush fire, believed to have been started by the suspect, has subsequently spread to about 20 acres and remains uncontained.

Image by Brandon Anderson.

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One of Zohran Mamdani’s Spiritual Leaders Just Issued a Fatwa Against Trump.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A senior Iranian cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued a fatwa declaring anyone who threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an “enemy of God” in a de facto call to assassinate U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The fatwa was reported by Iran’s Mehr News Agency amid ongoing tensions following a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Any person or regime that threatens the Leader or Marja (May God forbid) is considered an enemy of God.” – Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi.

🎯IMPACT: The fatwa could escalate tensions between Iran and the U.S., with Shirazi, 98, potentially becoming subject to a targeted strike himself.

IN FULL

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has issued a fatwa declaring that anyone who threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a “Muharib,” i.e. “an enemy of God” and his messengers, according to state media reports. The fatwa specifically named U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, in response to their recent statements during heightened tensions. Notably, a “Muharib” is subject to the death penalty.

Shirazi, a senior leader in Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s sect of Shia Islam, issued the fatwa in response to an Estefta (formal query). Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that Shirazi, who helped to draft Iran’s constitution following the Islamic Revolution, called on Muslims worldwide “to make these enemies regret their words and mistakes.” The 98-year-old cleric emphasized that supporting such “enemies” is considered “haram” (forbidden) under Islamic law.

The declaration follows a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, during which President Trump said he knew Khamenei’s location and described him as an “easy target.” The fatwa comes despite Trump having stressed that he personally intervened to save Khamenei from an “ugly and ignominious death” at the hands of the Israeli military.

Khosro K. Isfahani, a senior research analyst at the National Union for Democracy in Iran, commented on X, formerly Twitter, that the fatwa is significant for having “directly named Trump.” He highlighted its similarity to previous fatwas that have resulted in violent outcomes.

Image via Tasnim News Agency.

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‘Anti-Natalist’ Fertility Clinic Bomber’s Accomplice Kills Himself in Prison.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Daniel Jongyon Park, accused of aiding an “anti-natalist,” “anti-pro-life” extremist who bombed a fertility clinic, died after reportedly jumping from a high balcony inside a prison facility.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Daniel Jongyon Park, Guy Edward Bartkus, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) officials, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Park died in custody on June 24; the bombing occurred on May 17 at the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in Palm Springs, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Bringing chaos and violence to a facility that exists to help women and mothers is a particularly cruel, disgusting crime that strikes at the very heart of our shared humanity.” – Attorney General Pam Bondi.

🎯IMPACT: The explosion destroyed the clinic, injured people, and highlighted the potential risks of domestic terrorism and extreme “anti-pro-life” ideology.

IN FULL

Daniel Jongyon Park, the alleged accomplice of the Palm Springs fertility bomber, reportedly died by suicide after jumping from a high balcony inside a prison facility. Park, who was accused of supplying chemicals to the Palm Springs fertility clinic bomber, Guy Edward Bartkus, was found unresponsive and later pronounced dead at a hospital on June 24.

Bartkus died in the initial May 17 explosion outside the American Reproductive Centers fertility clinic in California. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) investigated the incident as an intentional act of terrorism, motivated by extreme “pro-mortalism, anti-natalism, and anti-pro-life ideology.”

Authorities said Park shipped 180 pounds of ammonium nitrate to Bartkus in January and another 90 pounds just days before the explosion.

The blast destroyed much of the clinic and shattered nearby windows. However, no embryos were harmed. Park, 33, was arrested on June 3 at JFK Airport and faced up to 15 years in federal prison for providing material support to Bartkus. The FBI’s Akil Davis said investigators found “an explosive recipe that was similar to the Oklahoma City bombing” in Park’s home.

Attorney General Pam Bondi, in a statement following Park’s arrest, said, “This defendant is charged with facilitating the horrific attack on a fertility center in California. Bringing chaos and violence to a facility that exists to help women and mothers is a particularly cruel, disgusting crime that strikes at the very heart of our shared humanity.”

“I just wanted to say, your god definitely doesn’t exist, but if he did, I’d choose satan over your evil god. Did you ever think that maybe the bible is just slander against satan, and that satan just realized what a f***ing creep your god is?” Bartkus said in his written manifesto.

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Euro Nation Urges Apple, Google to Block China’s DeepSeek AI.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: German authorities are pressuring Apple and Google to consider removing the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI_ app DeepSeek from their app stores over privacy concerns.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Germany, the European Union (EU), DeepSeek, China, Apple, Google.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information, Meike Kamp, called on the Big Tech corporations to take action this week.

🎯IMPACT: DeepSeek faces removal from another European country after Italy removed the app earlier this year, also due to privacy concerns.

IN FULL

Germany is urging tech giants Apple and Google to block access to the Chinese artificial intelligence (AI) app DeepSeek from app stores over concerns regarding user privacy. Berlin Commissioner for Data Protection and Freedom of Information Meike Kamp alleges that DeepSeek transfers users’ personal data to Communist China, violating European Union (EU) data protection regulations.

Kamp claims that DeepSeek did not supply her office with sufficient evidence that the app conforms to EU privacy laws, warning, “Chinese authorities have far-reaching access rights to personal data within the sphere of influence of Chinese companies.”

German authorities now demand that DeepSeek either conform to EU data privacy laws or remove the app from the German market entirely. So far, DeepSeek has refused to take any action, Kamp claims. Other EU member states, like Italy, have made similar demands to DeepSeek and blocked the app from app stores in their countries.

DeepSeek is not the only Chinese app to be accused of violating user privacy. As early as 2021, the Netherlands sued TikTok for violating children’s privacy. In 2023, European regulators fined the company an additional $368 million, again for violating privacy laws.

The United States has long considered banning TikTok due to its links with the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), passing legislation mandating that Chinese parent company ByteDance divest in order for it to keep doing business in the country.

President Donald J. Trump has delayed the ban while negotiations to sell the company remain ongoing.

Image by Abdelrahman Ahmed.

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WATCH: Trump Admin Oversees Signing of African Peace Deal.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo signed a U.S.-brokered peace agreement aiming to end ongoing conflict and displacement in the region.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The governments of Rwanda and Congo, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The agreement was signed on Friday at the U.S. Department of State in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They were going at it for many years, and with machetes—it is one of the worst, one of the worst wars that anyone has ever seen. And I just happened to have somebody that was able to get it settled,” – Donald Trump.

🎯IMPACT: The deal includes a 90-day timeline for Rwandan troop withdrawal and a framework for regional economic integration and mineral trade.

IN FULL

A U.S.-brokered peace agreement between Rwanda and the Democratic Republic of Congo was signed on Friday with the aim of ending a conflict that has resulted in thousands of deaths and the displacement of hundreds of thousands this year. The Trump administration facilitated the agreement.

The foreign ministers of both nations signed the agreement at a ceremony overseen by U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. The deal outlines a 90-day timeline for Rwandan troops to withdraw from eastern Congo and commits both countries to launching a regional economic framework within the same period.

President Donald J. Trump commented on the agreement, emphasizing the severity of the conflict and his administration’s role in brokering peace. “They were going at it for many years, and with machetes—it is one of the worst, one of the worst wars that anyone has ever seen. And I just happened to have somebody that was able to get it settled,” Trump said.

He also highlighted economic benefits for the United States, noting, “We’re getting, for the United States, a lot of the mineral rights from the Congo as part of it. They’re so honored to be here. They never thought they’d be coming.”

The Congo is a key source of critical minerals, particularly cobalt, accounting for around 60 percent of supplies worldwide.

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Another Washington Post Journalist Has Been Arrested for Child Porn.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Thomas Pham LeGro, a Pulitzer Prize-winning video journalist with The Washington Post, has been arrested and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with possession of child pornography.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Thomas Pham LeGro, U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro, the DOJ, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).

📍WHEN & WHERE: LeGro was arrested on Thursday, June 26, and appeared in federal court on Friday, June 27, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: The FBI found on LeGro’s work laptop a folder with “11 videos depicting child sexual abuse material.”

🎯IMPACT: LeGro is just the latest Washington Post employee to be charged with possession of child pornography. Earlier this year, the newspaper’s anti-Trump cartoonist, Darrin Bell, was also arrested on child porn allegations.

IN FULL

A Pulitzer Prize-winning video journalist with The Washington Post has been arrested and charged by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) with possession of child pornography. Thomas Pham LeGro appeared on Friday in a U.S. District Court after the charges were announced by U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.

The Washington Post journalist, who serves as the Jeff Bezos-owned newspaper’s Deputy Director of Video, was taken into custody by Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents on Thursday, June 26, following a raid on his residence. Inside LeGro’s home, the FBI found a work laptop which—upon examination—was discovered to contain a folder with “11 videos depicting child sexual abuse material.” Additionally, “agents observed what appeared to be fractured pieces of a hard drive in the hallway outside the room where LeGro’s work laptop was found.”

Notably, LeGro was part of a team of journalists at The Washington Post that won a Pulitzer Prize in 2018 for their coverage of the U.S. Senate race in Alabama, which saw former state Supreme Court Justice and Republican candidate Roy Moore accused of sexually assaulting several women when they were underage. Moore denied the sexual assault allegations, though he acknowledged he may have dated teenagers when he was in his late twenties and early thirties.

This is not the first Washington Post journalist to face allegations of concerning behavior regarding legal minors. Disgraced former WaPo reporter Taylor Lorenz is also accused of inappropriately interacting with teenagers on social media, often featuring them in her stories. In January of this year, the newspaper’s anti-Trump cartoonist, Darrin Bell, was also arrested on child porn allegations. Investigators discovered 134 videos of child sex abuse material (CSAM) on an account Bell is linked to, along with AI-generated child pornography.

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NYC’s Mamdani Wants Higher Taxes for ‘Whiter Neighborhoods.’

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the far-left Democratic Party nominee in New York City’s mayoral race, has proposed shifting the city’s property tax burden to “whiter” neighborhoods.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN), New York billionaire Bill Ackman, and incumbent Mayor Eric Adams.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Mamdani’s policy memo was released ahead of New York City’s general mayoral election in November.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Shift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods.” – Zohran for New York City policy memo.

🎯IMPACT: Mamdani’s plans have drawn criticism from Republicans, moderates, and business leaders, with efforts underway to prevent his election.

IN FULL

Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the Muslim extremist Democratic nominee in New York City’s mayoral race, has proposed a controversial plan to “[s]hift the tax burden from overtaxed homeowners in the outer boroughs to more expensive homes in richer and whiter neighborhoods.” His policy memo claims that the city’s current system favors homeowners in gentrifying areas, and he aims to raise taxes on properties more likely to be owned by affluent white people so he can lower them in lower-income neighborhoods. He is himself a Ugandan immigrant of Indian heritage, only becoming an American citizen in 2018.

Mamdani has also advocated for other radical measures, including city-owned grocery stores, defunding the police, and abolishing prisons. His proposals have sparked backlash from Republicans and moderates nationwide.

Representative Andy Ogles (R-TN) has been particularly critical of Mamdani, even calling for him to be stripped of his American citizenship if it turns out he failed to disclose terrorist sympathies during his naturalization process. In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Ogles accused Mamdani of expressing support for individuals linked to Hamas, stating, “Zohran ‘little muhammad’ Mamdani is an antisemitic, socialist, communist who will destroy the great City of New York.”

Billionaire Bill Ackman has pledged significant financial resources to prevent Mamdani’s election. “There are hundreds of millions of dollars of capital available to back a competitor to Mamdani that can be put together overnight,” said Ackman, CEO of Pershing Square Capital.

Mamdani, who defeated former New York Governor Andrew Cuomo in a surprising Democratic primary upset, will now face incumbent Mayor Eric Adams, who is running as an independent, in November’s general election.

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Defending Israel Has Depleted America’s Anti-Missile Arsenal.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. deployed a significant portion of its advanced THAAD anti-missile system to Israel during its 12-day conflict with Iran, which included strikes on nuclear facilities and retaliatory Iranian missile strikes.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The United States, Israel, Iran, and Iranian proxy groups such as Yemen’s Houthis.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The conflict occurred in June 2025, primarily in Israel and Iran.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day… we cannot afford to sit and play catch.” – Tom Karako, Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS).

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. used an estimated 15-20 percent of its global THAAD stockpile, costing over $800 million, and raising concerns about future readiness and supply chain challenges.

IN FULL

During the 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran, the U.S. deployed a significant portion of its Terminal High-Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) anti-missile system to bolster Israel’s defenses. The conflict included strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities and retaliatory Iranian missile launches targeting Israeli cities.

The THAAD system, developed by Lockheed Martin, is critical for intercepting short- to intermediate-range ballistic missiles. Unlike the Patriot system, it covers a larger area and comprises a launcher, interceptor, radar, and fire control unit. However, during the conflict, the THAAD system failed to intercept Houthi missiles on at least two occasions, with one missile striking near Tel Aviv‘s Ben Gurion International Airport.

Reports indicate that the U.S. used 15-20 percent of its global THAAD missile stockpile during the conflict, incurring costs exceeding $800 million. A single THAAD interceptor costs between $12 and $15 million. The deployment has raised concerns about the readiness of U.S. missile defense systems for future conflicts.

Tom Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), commented on the situation, saying, “Neither the U.S. nor the Israelis can continue to sit and intercept missiles all day. The Israelis and their friends need to move with all deliberate haste to do whatever needs to be done, because we cannot afford to sit and play catch.”

As a result of the conflict, the U.S. will need to urgently restock its THAAD interceptors. This is not only vital for Israel but also for other regions where such systems may be required, including the Middle East, the Pacific, and Europe.

During the conflict, a similar report claimed that Israel had also begun to run low on ballistic missile interceptors. The report came shortly before both Israel and Iran agreed to a ceasefire.

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Hegseth Removes Pedophile’s Name from U.S. Navy Ship.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Navy will rename the U.S.N.S. Harvey Milk after World War II Medal of Honor recipient Oscar V. Peterson, removing the name of the controversial gay rights figure from the vessel.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, former San Francisco Supervisor Harvey Milk, and Chief Petty Officer Oscar V. Peterson.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States Navy announcement, June 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: “We are taking the politics out of ship naming.” – Pete Hegseth

🎯IMPACT: The decision reflects the Trump administration’s broader effort to eliminate DEI programs and remove political or activist figures from military honors, signaling a renewed emphasis on traditional military valor.

IN FULL

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth announced Friday that the Navy will rename the U.S.N.S. Harvey Milk, a ship previously named for the Navy veteran, gay rights leader, and pedophile of the same name. The new name will honor Oscar V. Peterson, a chief petty officer posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the Second World War.

“We are taking the politics out of ship naming,” Hegseth stated in a message posted on social media. While Harvey Milk is revered in Democrat circles as the first openly gay elected official in California, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977 until his assassination in 1978, many conservatives object to his lionization as a supposed civil rights hero. This is due in large part to the unlawful sexual relationship he had with Jack Galen McKinley, an underage runaway boy, while he was in his thirties.

“We’re not renaming the ship to anything political; this is not about political activists, unlike the previous administration,” Hegseth stressed. “Instead, we’re renaming the ship after a United States Navy Congressional Medal of Honor recipient… People want to be proud of the ship they’re sailing in.”

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