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January 9, 2026
Economy
News
World

Trump, Oil CEOs Meet to Discuss Return to Venezuela.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump is meeting with Big Oil executives to discuss a potential return to Venezuela for U.S. energy companies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Summers, and top oil executives.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The meeting is scheduled for Friday at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There are gonna be parameters that have to be put in place before there’s a significant investment in Venezuela.” – Mike Summers

🎯IMPACT: The oil industry’s return to Venezuela will likely depend on political stability, financial guarantees, and the repeal of sanctions.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to host a meeting with senior executives from major U.S. oil companies on Friday at the White House. The gathering is aimed at encouraging American energy firms to invest in and help revive Venezuela‘s oil sector, following the recent U.S. military action that led to the capture of Marxist dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuela possesses some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves; however, its energy industry has suffered significantly from prolonged economic mismanagement, political instability, and infrastructure decay under previous socialist governance. Oil industry leaders remain cautious about pouring billions into repairs and expansion. Mike Summers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, stated, “There are gonna be parameters that have to be put in place before there’s a significant investment in Venezuela.” Key worries include unreliable rule of law, potential security threats, and an unpredictable political landscape.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has recognized these obstacles, saying, “To make the very big, long-term investments, we’ve got to get the government in a better place where they’ve got secure rule of law, national security, and that’s a process.” Executives have sought more concrete assurances from the administration regarding safety and long-term stability, but responses so far have fallen short.

The Trump administration has indicated it may ease certain sanctions to make it easier for U.S. firms to re-engage in Venezuela. Still, the country’s existing regulations—such as steep taxes, mandatory joint ventures with the state, and other restrictive terms—pose major barriers. “Venezuela has a very unfavorable fiscal regime—why would you go to a place like that?” said Luisa Palacios, the former Citgo chairwoman.

Industry observers note that, provided conditions improve significantly, Venezuela’s enormous reserves could draw substantial attention and capital from U.S. companies. Critical elements for success would include favorable fiscal arrangements, protective financial mechanisms, and sustained political security. “Fiscal terms, backstops and guarantees will all matter very much,” said Dan Pickering of Pickering Energy Partners.

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20 hours ago
Lawfare
News

Obama Judge Blocks Probe into Dem NY AG Letitia James.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge appointed by Barack Obama has disqualified a prosecutor from overseeing investigations into New York Attorney General Letitia James (D).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, federal prosecutor John Sarcone, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Letitia James.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was made in January 2026 in the Northern District of New York.

🎯IMPACT: Subpoenas related to James’s high-profile lawfare suits against President Donald J. Trump’s business and the National Rifle Association (NRA) were invalidated, and Sarcone was barred from further involvement.

IN FULL

A federal court has removed a senior federal prosecutor from overseeing inquiries tied to Democrat New York Attorney General Letitia James, concluding that his continued role violated federal appointment laws and rendered his actions invalid. U.S. District Judge Lorna G. Schofield, originally appointed by Barack Obama, ruled that John Sarcone could not lawfully continue serving as acting U.S. attorney for the Northern District of New York after his 120-day interim term expired.

Federal law requires that district judges decide whether an interim prosecutor may remain in office. In this case, judges declined to extend Sarcone’s tenure. The ruling claimed that the Justice Department (DOJ), led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, improperly attempted to preserve Sarcone’s authority by redesignating him as a “special attorney” and first assistant after his term lapsed. Judge Schofield said the move amounted to an unlawful attempt to bypass statutory limits on prosecutorial appointments.

Because Sarcone lacked legal authority, the court invalidated the subpoenas he issued and barred him from further participating in the investigations. Those subpoenas sought information related to James’ office and its prior litigation.

Sarcone worked on President Donald J. Trump’s 2016 campaign legal team and later served as a regional administrator at the General Services Administration during Trump’s first term. James’s office has argued that Sarcone’s involvement reflected a politically driven effort to retaliate against her for pursuing high-profile cases against Trump and conservative-aligned organizations.

James has built a national profile through aggressive legal actions, including a civil fraud case against Trump’s business empire and litigation against the pro-Second Amendment National Rifle Association (NRA).

James recently claimed a legal victory over the Department of Homeland Security, and another over the Department of Justice when a grand jury declined to re-indict her for mortgage fraud.

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21 hours ago
Christopher Tomlinson
Health
News

Doctors Euthanized a Healthy 26-Year-Old Because He Had Depression, Mother Claims.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The mother of a depressed 26-year-old announced he was killed as part of Canada’s assisted suicide program.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kiano Vafaeian, Margaret Marsilla, Dr. Ellen Wiebe.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Canadian doctors euthanized Vafaeian this week, with his mother Margaret Marsilla announcing his death on Facebook on January 6.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The actions of DR ELLEN WIEBE reveal a pattern of coldness and disregard for vulnerable human life that I can no longer stay silent about.” – Margaret Marsilla.

🎯IMPACT: The case reveals that killings of people with mental illnesses in Canada are occurring despite the practice being supposedly banned until 2027.

IN FULL

A notorious Canadian euthanasia doctor is said to have assisted in the suicide of Kiano Vafaeian, a depressed 26-year-old man, despite Canada not yet opening Medical Assistance in Dying (MAID) to those with simple mental illnesses until 2027. Kiano Vafaeian passed away this week, according to a Facebook post by his mother, Margaret Marsilla.

In the post, Marsilla notes, “Four years ago, here in Ontario, we were able to stop his euthanasia and get him some help. He was alive because people stepped in when he was vulnerable and not capable of making a final, irreversible decision. Tragically, the Canadian system later allowed something very different to happen in Vancouver—where a doctor named DR ELLEN WIEBE AKA DR DEATH #2 approved his death based on mental illness.”

“The actions of DR ELLEN WIEBE reveal a pattern of coldness and disregard for vulnerable human life that I can no longer stay silent about, just that scary smile shows her entitlement for taking peoples lives,” she continued, adding: “No compassion. No protection. No effort to save a life, only to end it.”

Dr. Wiebe has become well known in Canada for her enthusiasm for MAID, claiming to have been behind the killing of at least 400 people. She is also an abortionist.

Kiano Vafaeian also participated in a documentary about MAID in 2023, broadcast on the CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster, which questioned whether MAID was too easy for Canadians to get approval for. Vafaeian told the interviewer that he had tried suicide before and claimed MAID was “more dignified.”

The case comes as the overall use of MAID in Canada continues to rise sharply and is now one of the country’s leading causes of death. Analysts cited by critics of the program estimate that, based on current trends, the cumulative number of Canadians who have died through assisted suicide since legalization could be approaching 100,000. Medics have also warned that demand for MAID assessments has surged, straining capacity and raising concerns about whether thorough evaluations can always be maintained.

Other ethical concerns have also emerged regarding MAID and the practice of organ harvesting. In one case, a 38-year-old Canadian with Lou Gehrig’s disease was euthanized, and his heart was subsequently transplanted to an American man with congestive heart failure. The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)—a subagency of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)— has previously warned that some patients may not have been legally deceased before organ harvesting procedures begin.

Image by Zaldylmg.

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By Popular Demand.
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21 hours ago
News

REPORT: MAGA-World Figures Aid Major Corporate Mergers, Avoiding Anti-Trust Scrutiny.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The merger of Compass and Anywhere Real Estate, valued at $1.6 billion, was approved without a detailed antitrust investigation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Compass, Anywhere Real Estate, the Justice Department, and lawyer Mike Davis.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The merger completes on January 9, 2026, in the United States.

🎯IMPACT: Compass will control nearly 20 percent of the U.S. home-sales volume, raising concerns over market share in major metropolitan areas.

IN FULL

A $1.6 billion merger between Compass and Anywhere Real Estate was approved by the Department of Justice (DOJ) without a full antitrust investigation, despite objections from enforcement staff, according to reports. Senior DOJ officials allegedly overruled internal calls for an in-depth review after Compass retained Trump-aligned attorney Mike Davis, who argued the company’s case directly to Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche’s office. Those officials concluded that potential competition concerns could be addressed without launching a formal probe, allowing the deal to close far more quickly than initially expected.

The Justice Department’s antitrust division, led by Trump loyalist and populist figure Gail Slater, had pushed for a detailed examination of whether the merger would reduce competition in local real estate markets. That effort ultimately failed after intervention from higher-ranking officials. As The Wall Street Journal noted, “Davis previously assisted Hewlett Packard Enterprise to reach a $14 billion deal with the Justice Department that allowed it to acquire rival Juniper Networks but caused a fight within the department over his involvement.”

Davis is a well-known figure in Trump-world legal circles. A former Senate aide and founder of the Article III Project, he has been a vocal defender of Trump. He has also been described as a politically connected operator with close ties to Republican legal and lobbying networks.

The Compass-Anywhere merger creates one of the most powerful firms in the U.S. residential real estate market. Analysts estimate that Compass will oversee nearly 20 percent of total home sales volume nationwide, with a market share potentially exceeding 30 percent in major cities, including Chicago, New York, and San Francisco.

The deal has drawn renewed attention to the influence of lobbyists and former Trump administration officials now working in Washington’s corporate advocacy world. Several former Trump White House aides have moved into K Street lobbying roles, representing clients seeking favorable treatment from federal regulators. Other reporting has highlighted pressure campaigns by lobbyists and political allies aimed at persuading senior Justice Department officials to scale back or bypass aggressive antitrust enforcement.

A Justice Department spokesman said the approval does not prevent future action, noting that regulators may still pursue enforcement if anticompetitive effects emerge after the merger.

Image by Steve Fernie.

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By Popular Demand.
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22 hours ago
Economy

Consumer Confidence Is Rising, Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The University of Michigan’s preliminary January sentiment index showed a slight improvement, climbing to 54 from 52.9 in December, surpassing expectations of 53.5.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: University of Michigan researchers and consumers surveyed on economic conditions and inflation expectations.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The consumer sentiment index was released on January 9, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Although consumers’ worries about tariffs appear to be gradually receding, they remain guarded about the overall strength of business conditions and labor markets,’’ said Joanne Hsu, director of the survey.

🎯IMPACT: Consumer sentiment showed modest gains, but concerns about unemployment and inflation persist, with higher-educated and higher-income Americans expressing greater worry.

IN FULL

The University of Michigan’s preliminary January consumer sentiment index climbed to 54, up from 52.9 in December. This surpassed expectations of 53.5, signaling a modest rebound in consumer sentiment after record lows in 2025.

Meanwhile, the consumer expectations index reached a five-month high of 55, with improvements noted in both short- and long-term economic outlooks. The current conditions gauge also rose to a three-month high. Notably, consumers’ perception of their current financial situations improved, while expectations for the future declined.

Short-term inflation expectations remained flat, while longer-term expectations rebounded slightly. Democrats, who had previously expressed fears over tariffs, appear to be abandoning those concerns. Meanwhile, Republicans expect deflation, with a significant gap between the two groups’ outlooks on inflation.

Joanne Hsu, director of the survey, stated, “Although consumers’ worries about tariffs appear to be gradually receding, they remain guarded about the overall strength of business conditions and labor markets.’’ The survey also revealed that nearly two-thirds of consumers expect unemployment to rise in the coming year, with higher-educated and higher-income Americans showing greater concern about joblessness.

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22 hours ago
William Upton
World

Trump Says U.S. Will Take Greenland Whether Denmark ‘Likes It or Not.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump said on Friday that the United States will acquire the island of Greenland, whether its current sovereign—the Kingdom of Denmark—”likes it or not.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the Kingdom of Denmark, and Greenland.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Friday, January 9, 2026, at the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’d like to make a deal, the easy. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The issue of Greenland moved back to the forefront of Trump administration interests after the U.S. military successfully carried out an operation to capture the now-former dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump said on Friday that the United States will acquire the island of Greenland, whether its current sovereign—the Kingdom of Denmark—”likes it or not.” The remarks came while the President spoke with press following a high-level meeting with oil and gas industry executives at the White House, with the America First leader warning Danish leaders, “I’d like to make a deal, the easy way. But if we don’t do it the easy way, we’re going to do it the hard way.”


“If we don’t take Greenland, you’re going to have Russia or China as your next-door neighbor,” Trump stated, speculating the island could fall under the influence of either nation should the U.S. not step in, emphasizing, “That’s not going to happen.”

The President reiterated the threat both nations pose, arguing, “If you look just outside Greenland right now, there are Russian destroyers, Chinese destroyers, and Russian submarines all over the place. We are not going to let Russia or China occupy Greenland, and that’s what they’re going to do if we don’t.”

Notably, the issue of Greenland moved back to the forefront of Trump administration interests after the U.S. military successfully carried out an operation to capture the now-former dictator of Venezuela, Nicolás Maduro. The removal of Maduro from power deprives both Russia and China of a key ally in the Western Hemisphere and will likely impact the latter nation’s oil and gas supply.

Greenland, aside from its strategic location between the U.S. and the Arctic, is also an ideal location for naval—especially submarine basing—to project power into the Atlantic Ocean. Additionally, the island has significant deposits of critical minerals and other essential elements crucial to the U.S. defense and technology industries.

In late December, President Trump appointed Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry (R) as a special envoy to Greenland, prompting the Kingdom of Denmark to demand respect for its sovereignty. The National Pulse reported earlier this week that Trump’s renewed push for the island prompted European leaders to issue a statement reiterating their commitment to the Kingdom of Denmark’s sovereignty over Greenland.

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23 hours ago
Health
TECH

Experts Warn: Don’t Use ChatGPT Health For Medical Advice.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: OpenAI has introduced a new feature called ChatGPT Health, which uses medical records to generate personalized responses, despite warnings from experts about the risks of relying on artificial intelligence (AI) for health advice.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: OpenAI, medical professionals, legal experts, and organizations like the Center for Democracy and Technology and the Electronic Privacy Information Center.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The feature was recently launched by OpenAI.

💬KEY QUOTE: “New AI health tools offer the promise of empowering patients and promoting better health outcomes, but health data is some of the most sensitive information people can share, and it must be protected.” – Andrew Crawford, Center for Democracy and Technology.

🎯IMPACT: The launch of ChatGPT Health raises concerns over data privacy, potential misuse of health advice, and the lack of regulatory oversight for AI-driven health tools.

IN FULL

OpenAI has launched a new feature called ChatGPT Health, which aims to use medical records to provide more personalized responses for users. The company claims the tool is “designed in close collaboration with physicians” and built with “strong privacy, security, and data controls.” However, it also emphasizes that the feature is “not intended for diagnosis or treatment,” raising questions about its practical application.

The move has sparked criticism from experts who warn that artificial intelligence (AI) health advice can be inaccurate and potentially dangerous. A recent investigation revealed that Google’s AI Overviews frequently provided incorrect health information, which could lead to serious risks if followed. People are already using the standard ChatGPT AI assistant to draft legal and medical claims, often based on nonexistent case law or hallucinated data. Last December, The National Pulse reported that a U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) indictment alleges the OpenAI-developed chatbot encouraged a man—accused of harassing over a dozen women across five states—to persist in his stalking behavior.

Privacy concerns are at the forefront of the debate, with critics highlighting the lack of federal regulations like HIPAA governing consumer AI products. Andrew Crawford from the Center for Democracy and Technology recently noted, “Health data is some of the most sensitive information people can share, and it must be protected.” He warned that inadequate data protections could put users at risk, particularly as companies like OpenAI explore advertising as a business model.

Concerns also extend to law enforcement’s access to sensitive data. “How does OpenAI handle [law enforcement] requests?” Crawford asked, adding, “Do they just turn over the information? Is the user in any way informed?” Sara Geoghegan of the Electronic Privacy Information Center echoed these concerns, noting that AI companies can change their terms of service at any time without regulation.

Despite these warnings, OpenAI says it is pushing forward with ChatGPT Health, which the company contends will help users “take a more active role in understanding and managing their health and wellness.”

Image by Jernej Furman.

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24 hours ago
News
Politics

MTG Was Referred to Secret Service After CCP-Linked Leftists Crashed Trump’s Dinner, Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: White House officials suspect former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tipped off far-left agitators who crashed President Donald J. Trump’s dinner at a D.C. restaurant about his plans, referring her to the United States Secret Service.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, former Rep. Greene, Code Pink protesters, and White House staffers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Last September, at Joe’s Seafood in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Anyone saying this is true is absolutely lying!!!” – Marjorie Taylor Greene

🎯IMPACT: The incident has intensified tensions between Trump and Greene, fueling existing intra-party disputes.

IN FULL

White House officials believe former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) may have alerted leftist activists linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) about President Donald J. Trump’s dinner plans last September, after protesters confronted the President at a Washington, D.C., restaurant he was visiting. The incident took place at Joe’s Seafood, a restaurant Greene had personally recommended to Trump, and White House staffers referred her to the Secret Service following the incident.

During the meal, activists affiliated with Code Pink came close to the President and heckled him, shouting, “Free DC.! Free Palestine! Trump is the Hitler of our time!” Aides later described the scene as embarrassing and deeply troubling from a security standpoint.

Greene allegedly contacted White House staff repeatedly on the day of the dinner to confirm Trump’s plans, and Trump himself is said to have called Greene shortly before leaving the White House to confirm he was going to Joe’s Seafood. Although Greene was known to frequent the restaurant, she did not attend the dinner, something aides found unusual.

Greene and Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin share opposition to U.S. military aid to Ukraine and Israel. Benjamin has publicly praised Greene in the past for opposing Trump’s striking of Iranian nuclear sites, and she met the former Georgia lawmaker along with other Code Pink activists shortly before she left Congress.

Greene has forcefully denied the accusations, insisting that she did not know Trump’s exact dinner plans. “Code Pink was in the restaurant because the WH and Secret Service did NOT sweep Joe’s, did NOT set up metal detectors and check everyone in the restaurant, and did not do any of their normal security protocols that they do at every public event he attends!!! Only the WH set up President Trump’s reservation at Joe’s, NOT ME!! I had ZERO knowledge of when his reservation was!” she wrote in a long X (formerly Twitter) post, characterizing claims that she leaked the dinner plans as “a dangerous false accusation against me that is 100% false… Anyone saying this is true is absolutely lying!!!”

Greene also denied having Medea Benjamin’s telephone number, insisting, “[I] do not have any contact with her. She used to stop by my office as she stops by every office on Capitol hill.”

The incident has further strained the relationship between Trump and Greene, who was once one of his allies in Congress. In November, Trump commented on their falling out, saying, “Yeah, so I don’t know what happened to Marjorie. She’s a nice woman, but I don’t know what happened. She’s lost her way, I think.”

Greene has also drawn attention for threatening to expose what she called “all Congress’s dirty laundry.” More recently, she criticized Trump after he referred to her as a “traitor,” claiming that such language put her personal safety at risk.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 9, 2026
Economy
World

Trump Pushing $100B Investment in Venezuela at Meeting With Oil Execs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump will push oil executives to commit to a $100 billion investment in Venezuela’s oil sector during a White House meeting on Friday, following the ousting of the country’s Marxist dictator Nicolás Maduro.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, and executives from companies such as Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The meeting is set for Friday at 2:30 PM at the White House, before Trump departs for Palm Beach, Florida, for the weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: Trump said, “BIG OIL leaders will invest at least 100 billion dollars into Venezuela towards rebuilding, in a much bigger, better and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”

🎯IMPACT: The proposed investment aims to lower energy prices for Americans but raises concerns over U.S. involvement in Venezuela and the impact on domestic oil producers.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is pushing U.S. oil industry executives to make a significant $100 billion investment in Venezuela’s oil infrastructure during at a meeting on Friday on the future of the South American country’s energy sector. The White House discussion follows the U.S.-led removal of Nicolás Maduro as Venezuela’s dictator and the installation of Darcy Rodriguez as acting president.

According to Trump, the investment will focus on modernizing Venezuela’s oil and gas sector, which has been crippled by years of mismanagement. In a Truth Social post, Trump stated that the U.S. government and Venezuela are “working well together” and emphasized the potential benefits for both nations. He added, “BIG OIL leaders will invest at least 100 billion dollars into Venezuela towards rebuilding, in a much bigger, better and more modern form, their oil and gas infrastructure.”

Executives from 17 companies, including Chevron, ExxonMobil, and ConocoPhillips, are expected to attend. Other participants include Valero, Marathon, Shell, Halliburton, and international firms such as Trafigura, Eni, and Repsol. Key members of the Trump administration, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum, are also slated to participate.

Despite Trump’s assurances, U.S.-based shale oil producers have expressed concerns over increased competition from Venezuela, warning that it could harm domestic oil markets. Additionally, companies remain cautious about investing in Venezuela without guarantees against government interference, though Trump has promised U.S. government support to secure such investments.

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January 9, 2026
World

Trump Says Iran’s Ayatollah May Be Looking to Flee Country, Ayatollah Claims Protesters Are Agents of Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Nationwide protests erupted in Iran, with demonstrators demanding regime change and clashing with security forces.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Iranian protesters, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Protests began in recent weeks across more than 100 Iranian cities and towns, with escalating tensions and violence reported in recent days as the demonstrators clash with regime forces.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ve warned them that if they do anything bad to these people, we’re going to hit them very hard. I’ve said it very loud and very clear, that’s what we’re going to do.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The unrest has reportedly resulted in over 40 deaths, thousands of arrests, widespread Internet blackouts, and the possibility that Ayatollah Khamenei may be looking to flee the country as his regime teeters on the brink of collapse.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump believes Iran’s 86-year-old Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, may be looking to flee the country as anti-regime protests continue to escalate. “He’s looking to go someplace,” President Trump stated in a recent interview, adding: “It’s getting very bad.”

Over the last week, demonstrations against the Islamic Republic and the rule of the ayatollahs have spread to more than 100 cities and towns across Iran, with human rights groups claiming there have been at least 40 deaths, including both protestors and police. Additionally, the rights groups believe the regime has arrested more than 2,000 people as it struggles to crack down on civil unrest, which began as a protest against the regime’s crumbling economy and runaway inflation.

In response to the mounting Islamist regime violence, President Trump warned Khamenei directly that he would order a U.S. military response if protestors are harmed. “Nobody’s ever seen anything like what’s happening right now… I’ve put Iran on notice that if they start shooting at them—these people are totally unarmed people, and they love their country,” Trump said.

“They want something to happen. Look at their country. They’ve gone back 150 years,” Trump continued. “But I’ve warned them that if they do anything bad to these people, we’re going to hit them very hard. I’ve said it very loud and very clear, that’s what we’re going to do.”

The National Pulse previously reported that the Iranian government moved to cut off Internet access across the entire country, which may signal that the regime is becoming increasingly desperate. Experts believe the current blackout is to prevent anti-regime demonstrators from communicating and to prevent evidence of pro-regime forces firing upon civilians being shared.

Late Thursday, Khamenei delivered a televised address where he accused the protestors of being “vandals,” allegedly acting at the direction of Israel, the United States, and President Trump. “The Islamic Republic came to power through the blood of hundreds of thousands of honorable people. It will not back down in the face of vandals,” Khamenei said, vowing that “The Islamic Republic will not tolerate mercenaries working for foreign powers.”

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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January 9, 2026
Crime
Immigration
News

Border Patrol Shoots Alleged Tren de Aragua Associates Who ‘Weaponized Their Vehicle.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Two illegal immigrants were shot in Portland, Oregon, during an incident involving Border Patrol agents.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The driver, Luis David Nico Moncada, and passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, were identified as suspected associates of the Tren de Aragua gang.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting took place in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, around 2:15 PM local time.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The driver weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland, prompting the CBP agent to take immediate action to defend himself and others.” – Department of Homeland Security

🎯IMPACT: Both migrants were hospitalized; the incident has drawn attention to the dangers presented to federal law enforcement by vehicular attacks.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced on X that two illegal immigrants were shot in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday. The migrants are suspected associates of the notorious transnational Tren de Aragua gang. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the incident, which took place around 2:15 PM local time and involved Border Patrol agents.

“Yesterday, two suspected Tren de Aragua gang associates—let loose on American streets by Joe Biden—weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland. The agent took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them,” DHS announced.

According to DHS, the suspects were identified as driver Luis David Nico Moncada and passenger Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras. DHS described both as “criminal illegal alien[s] from Venezuela”, with Moncada having entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and Contreras in 2023. The agency highlighted Moncada’s prior arrests for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle, while noting “Contreras played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland.”

The incident follows on the heels of the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Good and her same-sex partner had been obstructing and taunting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the Minnesota city, with Good driving at and striking one officer in an attempted getaway as they sought to detain her, causing her to be shot. The officer involved was previously dragged and injured by a car driven by a migrant pedophile attempting to evade arrest.

There has been a 1,300 percent increase in vehicular attacks against ICE since 2024, driven in part by senior Democrats such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz inflaming migrants and far-left agitators by comparing the federal law enforcement agency to Adolf Hitler’s “Gestapo.”

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