Tuesday, August 12, 2025

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Grenell Calls Out Far-Left Broadway Star Who Said Trump’s Kennedy Center Should Be ‘Blown Up.’

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Special Presidential Envoy and John F. Kennedy Center Executive Director Richard Grenell blasted Broadway star Patti LuPone for saying the Trump-chaired institution “should get blown up,” accusing her of giving “aid and comfort to the crazies” and fueling violent extremism.

👥 Who’s Involved: Richard Grenell, Patti LuPone, the Kennedy Center, and the Trump administration.

📍 Where & When: Newsmax’s Rob Schmitt Tonight, with Grenell’s comment aired on Wednesday, May 28, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: “She is giving aid and comfort to somebody who says, ‘Patti Lupone wants me to go blow up the Kennedy Center,’” Grenell said.

⚠️ Impact: Grenell’s rebuke highlights the Trump administration’s push to curb radical left rhetoric, increasingly common among leftist public figures such as LuPone.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Director for the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Richard Grenell, rebuked Broadway star Patti LuPone on May 28, 2025, accusing her of fueling violent extremism with her reckless claim that the Kennedy Center “should get blown up.”

Speaking on Rob Schmitt Tonight, Grenell called out LuPone’s comments in a recent New Yorker interview, warning that her rhetoric provides “aid and comfort to the crazies” and risks inciting real-world violence.

“We should have every Democrat, every left-leaning person condemning what she said,” Grenell declared, addressing LuPone’s inflammatory statement about the Kennedy Center, which Trump personally chairs following post-Biden reforms.

“Do I actually believe Patti LuPone is going to build a bomb and throw it inside the Kennedy Center? No, I don’t believe that. However, she is giving aid and comfort to the crazies,” Grenell warned. “She is giving aid and comfort to somebody who says, ‘Patti Lupone wants me to go blow up the Kennedy Center.’ We need to call this out. This needs to stop—this radical left extremism that’s morphing into violence. This has to stop.”

Grenell’s response aligns with Trump’s broader push to curb inflammatory rhetoric, especially after he survived two assassination attempts in 2024—one in Butler, Pennsylvania, and another in West Palm Beach, Florida—which he blamed on Democrat vitriol.

By Popular Demand.
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Supreme Court Could Decide Fate of Fugitive Texas Democrats.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Texas House of Representatives has filed lawsuits in Illinois and California courts to domesticate civil arrest warrants for House Democrats who fled the state to block a vote on redistricting. Should the two states reject the warrants, the matter could find its way to the U.S. Supreme Court.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Texas House Democrats, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R), Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D), and California Governor Gavin Newsom (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Lawsuits were filed recently in Illinois and California after Democrats fled Texas during a special session.

🎯IMPACT: If Illinois and California courts refuse to enforce the warrants, the matter could escalate to the U.S. Supreme Court.

IN FULL

The Texas House of Representatives has filed arrest warrants for 56 Texas Democrat lawmakers currently hiding in Illinois and California. They left the state to prevent voting on a redistricting plan during a special session. Each of the lawsuits asks courts in Democrat-controlled California and Illinois to domesticate warrants under the Full Faith and Credit Clause of the U.S. Constitution, enabling the absent lawmakers to be detained and returned to Texas.

However, Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) has already declared that his state will not comply, insisting that Illinois is not obligated to honor the warrants unless a federal crime has been committed. He stated, “There is literally no federal law applicable to this situation. None.” It is suspected that California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) will likewise ignore the warrants.

The situation could set up a major showdown before the U.S. Supreme Court if Illinois and California continue to refuse to enforce the Texas warrants. Notably, the U.S. Constitution’s Full Faith and Credit Clause mandates states to recognize and enforce public acts and judicial proceedings from other states. Compounding the situation is the reported involvement of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in tracking down and possibly arresting the missing Texas Democrats—a factor that could expedite any federal court challenge.

The lawsuits argue that Illinois and California must treat Texas’s Quorum Warrants as their own civil orders. They cite federal statute 28 U.S.C. § 1738, which codifies the Full Faith and Credit Clause and the Judicial Comity doctrine. Precedent from a 2016 U.S. Supreme Court ruling on the Full Faith and Credit Clause supports Texas’s position, requiring state courts to enforce judgments from other states.

Courts in Illinois and California have yet to schedule hearings on the matter.

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By Popular Demand.
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Australia Becomes Latest U.S. Ally to Back Palestinian Statehood.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced plans to officially recognize a Palestinian state during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Prime Minister Albanese, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong, Israeli Ambassador Amir Maimon.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made Monday in the Australian capital of Canberra, with formal recognition planned for September at the UN General Assembly.

💬KEY QUOTE: “A two-state solution remains the best hope for ending the violence in the Middle East and alleviating the suffering in Gaza.” – Anthony Albanese

🎯IMPACT: Israel has strongly opposed the move, warning it rewards terrorism, while Australia’s opposition cautions it could harm relations with the U.S.

IN FULL

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese announced on Monday that Australia will officially recognize a Palestinian state during the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in September. The decision has drawn sharp criticism from Israel, which has labeled the move as a reward for terrorism.

“A two-state solution remains the best hope for ending the violence in the Middle East and alleviating the suffering in Gaza,” Albanese said during a press conference in the Australian capital of Canberra. The announcement aligns Australia with other Western nations such as France, Canada, and the United Kingdom, which have also pledged recognition of a Palestinian state at the summit.

Israeli Ambassador to Australia Amir Maimon quickly condemned the move, stating, “We reject this recognition.” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong defended the decision, arguing that recognition was a matter of “when, not if,” and warning that “there is a risk there will be no Palestine left to recognize” without prompt action.

The decision has also sparked backlash from Australia’s opposition Liberal Party, which leans towards the center-right, with leader Sussan Ley warning that it risks damaging the close relationship between Australia and the U.S. “Despite the Prime Minister’s remarks, the reality is that this recognition comes while hostages are still held in Gaza and Hamas remains in power,” Ley said.

The Trump administration has previously voiced opposition to France’s stated intention to recognize Palestinian statehood.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Plans Standing Rapid Reaction Force to Combat Civil Unrest Nationwide.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is considering the creation of a Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force to respond to protests or civil unrest in American cities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, National Guard officials, and the Pentagon are involved in drafting the plan.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The proposal is being discussed as of late July to early August, with the Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force troops potentially stationed in Alabama and Arizona.

🎯IMPACT: The plan is expected to face legal and political challenges from Democratic state leaders.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is exploring the establishment of a Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force, which would involve 600 National Guard troops on standby to address civil unrest in American cities. According to internal Pentagon documents, these troops would be stationed at military bases in Alabama and Arizona, ready to deploy within an hour.

The plan, drafted by National Guard officials between late July and early August, would see troops split between the east and west of the Mississippi River. Previous deployments of National Guard troops, such as earlier this year in Los Angeles, California, to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel facing attacks from pro-illegal immigrant rioters, were criticized by Democratic state leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom (D). Newsom sued the Trump administration to cancel the deployment, but was soundly defeated in the Ninth Circuit.

The legal framework for rapid response deployments is rooted in Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code. Title 10 allows the President to direct troops without the need for state governor approval, while Title 32 places National Guard troops under state control but with federal funding. The proposed plan would see troops mobilized under Title 32 during civil unrest, bypassing the need for state-level consent.

The program could be implemented as early as fiscal year 2027, with funding coming from the Pentagon’s annual budget.

On Monday, President Trump announced that he is federalizing the D.C. police and deploying the National Guard to the nation’s capital to combat violent crime. Reports indicate that over 800 National Guard troops will arrive in the city over the coming days.

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By Popular Demand.
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Over 100K Americans Have Applied for Trump’s Nationwide ICE Expansion.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Over 100,000 Americans have applied for roles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a recruitment drive launched at the end of July.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, and President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Recruitment began at the end of July 2025; applications have been received nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland.” – Kristi Noem

🎯IMPACT: ICE has received over 100,000 applications and is offering incentives such as signing bonuses and student loan benefits amid an unprecedented mass deportation effort.

IN FULL

Over 100,000 Americans have submitted applications for jobs at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the launch of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hiring campaign in late July. The Trump administration initiative seeks to add 10,000 more ICE personnel amid an unpl, providing various perks and easing some qualification restrictions.

In a statement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stressed the significance of the hiring push. “This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland,” she said. Noem emphasized that ICE agents are responsible for deporting “the worst of the worst criminals” from the nation.

To draw in applicants, ICE is providing sign-on bonuses as high as $50,000, along with programs for repaying or forgiving student loans, and additional perks.

This hiring campaign occurs amid DHS statistics showing an 830 percent surge in attacks against ICE agents, a number that Noem indicated has now climbed to 1,000 percent.

Todd Lyons, the acting ICE Director, has drawn attention to the difficulties ICE agents encounter because of the open border policies of the former Biden-Harris government: “The dedicated men and women of ICE now face unprecedented challenges in removing millions of criminal illegal aliens from our country,” he said.

The ICE hiring portal features various positions such as deportation officer, criminal investigator, and general attorney. It also responds to worries about occupational hazards, noting that agents are “expertly trained” and that all possible measures are implemented to protect them. Every candidate for law enforcement positions will be subject to health evaluations, substance screenings, and fitness tests during recruitment.

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By Popular Demand.
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Whistleblower: Schiff Leaked Classified Info in Anti-Trump Russia Hoax Effort.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Newly declassified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documents reveal whistleblower allegations that Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) directed the leaking of classified documents to target President Donald J. Trump and influence public opinion by perpetuating the Russia collusion hoax.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Adam Schiff, President Donald Trump, whistleblowers, and members of the House Intelligence Committee, including Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The allegations stem from events beginning after Trump’s 2016 election victory, with interviews conducted by the FBI in 2017 and documents declassified in August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP,” the FBI memo said.

🎯IMPACT: The allegations raise questions about the weaponization of intelligence and law enforcement for political purposes, with Congress now reviewing the declassified documents.

IN FULL

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), while serving in the House of Representatives in 2016, directed the leaking of classified documents aimed at fomenting the Russia collusion hoax targeting President Donald J. Trump, according to whistleblower claims in newly declassified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documents. Currently being reviewed by Congress, the documents contain testimony from a whistleblower who worked for the Democrat members of the House Intelligence Committee. The whistleblower told the FBI that Schiff initiated the leaking of classified documents in a meeting after Trump’s election in 2016.

The whistleblower claims Schiff’s intention was to use selective leaks of classified documents to drive the Russia collusion narrative and hurt Trump. “In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP,” the FBI memo said. “[Redacted] stated this would be illegal and, upon hearing his concerns, unnamed members of the meeting reassured [Redacted] that they would not be caught leaking classified information.”

The whistleblower believed that this leaking would be “unethical,” “illegal,” and “treasonous.” The whistleblower was later “approached about leaking classified information in a separate meeting by unnamed individuals,” the FBI memo states.

The interview documents were declassified by FBI Director Kash Patel. “We found it. We declassified it,” Patel posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “Now Congress can see how classified info was leaked to shape political narratives—and decide if our institutions were weaponized against the American people.”

Concerningly, the whistleblower told the FBI that Democrats on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence believed that they could end the Trump presidency with selective classified document leaks to the media. “Schiff believed Russia hijacked the election, and the United States was in the middle of a constitutional crisis. Classified information began leaking to the media. The Democratic minority leadership of HPSCI was aware of the leaks but was under the impression that leaking the information was one way to topple the administration and fix the constitutional crisis,” the whistleblower stated.

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Trump Pledges Renovations to Bring Kennedy Center Back to ‘Absolute TOP LEVEL of Luxury.’

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump hinted at potential renovations to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, aiming to restore it to “the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, President and Executive Director of the Kennedy Center Richard “Ric” Grenell, and lawmakers proposing legislation regarding the center.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the announcement on Tuesday via Truth Social, with further updates expected Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Kennedy Center may see significant renovations and programming changes, with legislative proposals also suggesting renaming parts of the center.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump suggested upgrades to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, expanding on his initiatives to revitalize the White House and other federal properties.

“GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,” he posted on his Truth Social platform. “They will be announced Wednesday. Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment. It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!

Previously, Trump replaced the center’s board members, personally assuming the role of chairman and appointing Richard “Ric” Grenell, former acting Director of National Intelligence, as president and executive director, to revise its “woke” programming. This earned backlash from some liberal performers, with Broadway star Patti LuPone going so far as to say the center “should be blown up”—but it is already exceeding its revenue goals under Trump’s chairmanship.

Trump’s ambition to overhaul the Kennedy Center aligns with his plans to personally finance a new ballroom at the White House.

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By Popular Demand.
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July CPI Comes in at 2.7%, Beating Forecasts Again.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in July rose 2.7 percent on an annual basis, slightly below economists’ forecast of 2.8 percent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and economists polled by FactSet.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The CPI data for July 2025 was released on August 12, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: Economists are closely monitoring the effects of inflation and tariffs on consumer prices, with some categories like apparel and home furnishings seeing slight increases.

IN FULL

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2023 rose by 2.7 percent on an annual basis, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This figure came in slightly below the 2.8 percent increase forecasted by economists polled by FactSet. On a month-to-month basis, the CPI rose 0.2 percent, aligning with expectations.

Core inflation, which excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, increased by 3.1 percent over the past year, slightly above the 3 percent prediction by economists. Food prices matched the overall inflation rate, rising 2.7 percent annually. Notable increases were seen in items such as eggs (up 16.4 percent), roasted coffee (up 14.8 percent), and ground beef (up 11.5 percent). Gasoline prices, however, dropped by 9.5 percent compared to July 2022.

Economists are also observing the effects of tariffs on consumer prices. Goods from over 60 countries, including the European Union (EU), are now subject to new reciprocal tariffs implemented on August 7, 2025. Categories such as apparel and home furnishings have already shown signs of slight price increases due to these levies.

The CPI, which tracks changes in prices for a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by consumers, remains a key measure of inflation. Notably, the inflation rate has remained at or below three percent for much of the year despite Wall Street fears that tariffs would cause runaway inflation.

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Trump Takes Back Border Wall Materials Biden Tried to Sell Off.

Miles of border wall materials bought in President Donald Trump’s first term—which the Biden regime tried to sell off—have been reclaimed by the Trump administration.

The backstory: In January 2021, Biden halted construction of the southern border wall which had begun under Trump. This left up to $350 million worth of steel panels and bollards stranded.

  • Beginning in June 2024, through December (after Trump won), Biden’s Department of Defense was selling off parts at dirt-cheap prices—including $1-per-panel deals—through an auction company called GovPlanet, which specializes in selling surplus government materials.

Trump reclaims the wall: After negotiations with Trump’s Office of the Border Czar, GovPlanet agreed to return them “at-cost” within the next 90 days.

  • GovPlanet says it agreed to these terms in order to “protect the millions of dollars U.S. taxpayers have already invested” in the border wall.

The numbers: Border crossings have plummeted since Trump returned to office. In July. Customs and Border Protection apprehended 6,177 illegals – an all-time low. None were allowed to enter the U.S.

What happens next? These materials will get put to good use. The recently passed Big, Beautiful Bill earmarked nearly $50 billion for the construction of the border wall.

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Miles of border wall materials bought in President Donald Trump's first term—which the Biden regime tried to sell off—have been reclaimed by the Trump administration. show more
By Popular Demand.
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Rabies Scare Hits U.S. Vacation Hub, Hundreds at Risk.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Health officials are attempting to contact hundreds of visitors to Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park after discovering a suspected bat colony in an attic above guest rooms at the Jackson Lake Lodge.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Wyoming Department of Health, the National Park Service, Grand Teton Lodge Company, and federal health officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The potential exposure dates back to May 2025 at the Jackson Lake Lodge in Grand Teton National Park, Wyoming.

💬KEY QUOTE: “As a precaution, the affected rooms are closed while public health professionals conduct further assessments and provide recommendations for mitigation.” – National Park Service

🎯IMPACT: Over 200 guests may need rabies risk assessments, with state and federal health officials coordinating preventive treatment as needed.

IN FULL

Public health authorities are reaching out to guests who recently stayed at Jackson Lake Lodge in Wyoming‘s Grand Teton National Park after a suspected bat colony was discovered in the attic space above several guest rooms. Officials believe more than 200 individuals may have been exposed to bats that may be infected with the rabies virus since the lodge opened for the season in May 2025.

In a public statement, the National Park Service (NPS) noted: “[A]ffected rooms are closed while public health professionals conduct further assessments and provide recommendations for mitigation.”

The primary concern stems from the possibility of bat-related rabies exposure, which can occur through bites or scratches that are often so small they go unnoticed. According to Dr. Alexia Harrist, Wyoming’s state health officer, “rabies is almost always fatal once symptoms appear, but can be prevented with timely post-exposure vaccines.” She emphasized that individuals who may not be aware of contact with bats, such as children or those in deep sleep, are particularly vulnerable.

The Wyoming Department of Health and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) are overseeing the investigation and are coordinating with local health officials to identify and assist affected guests. “State public health officials are reaching out to these guests directly to assess if they had exposure to a bat while staying in any of these rooms and determine if they meet the risk criteria for receiving rabies preventive treatment,” the NPS stated, adding: “Individuals who meet the risk criteria for a rabies exposure will be connected with the appropriate provider in their home state for preventive treatment.”

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By Popular Demand.
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Court Upholds Online Censorship Law Challenged by Wikipedia.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The High Court in England rejected the Wikimedia Foundation’s legal challenge against Britain’s so-called Online Safety Act.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Wikimedia Foundation, the High Court, British government regulator Ofcom, and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was delivered in England in August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This does not give Ofcom and the Secretary of State a green light to implement a regime that would significantly impede Wikipedia’s operations.” – Justice Jeremy Johnson

🎯IMPACT: The decision raises concerns about free speech restrictions, with U.S. lawmakers warning of international implications.

IN FULL

The High Court in England has delivered a significant win for the UK government’s controversial Online Safety Act by dismissing a legal challenge brought by the Wikimedia Foundation. The decision upholds a law enabling sweeping government censorship online, sparking fresh concerns over the state of free speech in the United Kingdom.

The Wikimedia Foundation, which operates Wikipedia, argued that the legislation’s expansive regulatory powers threaten the site’s open, collaborative model. The risk of being designated a “Category 1” service was particularly concerning, as this official classification would require the site to implement strict identity verification for all users who edit or contribute to content. Wikimedia warned such a move would severely undermine its volunteer-driven approach, discourage British contributors, and reduce public access to its information.

While dismissing the lawsuit, Justice Jeremy Johnson claimed that his ruling does not give regulators unchecked power. He noted that Wikimedia retains the right to challenge any future decision by Ofcom, the British media regulator, if it “concludes that Wikipedia is a Category 1 service” impermissibly.

Across the Atlantic, American lawmakers have criticized the Online Safety Act, expressing alarm that it may inspire other governments to adopt similar measures that threaten online freedoms. Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) said that the law poses potential security risks, warning, “The cybersecurity of Americans’ communications and digital lives must be defended against foreign threats,” and that Britain’s censorship laws could compel U.S. officials to use “weakened encryption and storage in the UK.”

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By Popular Demand.
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