GET THE APP
Friday, January 30, 2026

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

2 hours ago
William Upton
Economy

Trump Names New Fed Chairman.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced his nomination of economist Kevin Warsh to serve as the next chairman of the Federal Reserve.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Kevin Warsh, and current Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Friday, January 30, 2026. Pending Senate confirmation, Warsh will succeed Jerome Powell when the latter’s term expires on May 15, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: If confirmed, Warsh would succeed Powell in May and potentially reshape Federal Reserve policy, which Trump has criticized for its handling of interest rates.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump announced on Friday that he will nominate Kevin Warsh to serve as the next Chairman of the Federal Reserve, succeeding Jerome Powell, whose term expires on May 15, 2026. Warsh, a former member of the Federal Reserve’s Board of Governors, has been a critic of Powell’s hesitancy to cut interest rates. Since his inauguration last January, President Trump has ramped up his criticism of Powell, even floating the possibility of firing the Fed chairman.

“I am pleased to announce that I am nominating Kevin Warsh to be the CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD OF GOVERNORS OF THE FEDERAL RESERVE SYSTEM,” Trump posted on Truth Social, adding: “I have known Kevin for a long period of time, and have no doubt that he will go down as one of the GREAT Fed Chairmen, maybe the best. On top of everything else, he is ‘central casting,’ and he will never let you down. Congratulations Kevin!”

Warsh has long been seen as the safest choice to lead the Federal Reserve, with strong ties to Wall Street and a more hawkish stance on lowering interest rates. The National Pulse previously reported that Warsh aligned early with President Trump regarding interest rates, stating last year, “The President’s right to be frustrated with Jay Powell and the Federal Reserve.”

Currently, Warsh serves as an economist with the Hoover Institution and a lecturer at the Stanford Graduate School of Business. He previously served as an economic policy advisor to President George W. Bush and became the youngest Federal Reserve governor at age 35 when he joined the board in 2006, a role he held until 2011. In the latter role, Warsh served as a critical go-between for Washington, D.C., and Wall Street during the 2008 financial crisis.

Notably, Warsh was also a finalist to be President Trump’s Treasury Secretary, with the job ultimately going to macro-fund manager Scott Bessent. Bessent and Warsh are believed to be on friendly terms with the latter having proposed a new Treasury-Fed accord, similar to one implemented in 1951, to address the nation’s debt and improve coordination between monetary and fiscal policies.

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

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.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad
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.

9 minutes ago
Crime
News

Biden Judge Blocks Death Penalty in Luigi Mangione Case.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A judge ruled that Luigi Mangione, accused of murdering UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, will not face the death penalty if convicted on federal charges.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Luigi Mangione, UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, and Judge Margaret Garnett.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling occurred on Friday, January 30, 2026.

🎯IMPACT: Mangione could still face life in prison if convicted, though the death penalty removal is likely to be appealed.

IN FULL

The federal judge presiding over the murder trial of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson ruled on Friday that Luigi Mangione, 27, will not face the death penalty if convicted. U.S. District Court Judge Margaret Garnett, nominated by former President Joe Biden, dismissed the federal murder charge but maintained a stalking charge that carries a maximum punishment of life in prison. Mangione, 27, has pleaded not guilty to both federal and state charges.

Notably, Judge Garnett’s reasoning in dismissing the federal murder charge revolves around a requirement that the killing was committed during another “crime of violence.” The judge agreed with Mangione’s defense team that the stalking charge did not constitute a violent crime.

While the removal of the death penalty is—for now—a significant win for Mangione, the ruling is likely to be appealed. Meanwhile, Mangione’s legal defense also suffered a considerable setback when Judge Garnett rejected his defense attorneys’ attempt to suppress evidence obtained during the search of his backpack at a Pennsylvania McDonald’s on December 9, 2024. Items recovered included a 3D-printed handgun, a loaded magazine, a notebook, a map, and a “survival kit.” Police testified that such searches are standard procedure during arrests.

The Friday ruling means that jury selection in the federal case against Mangione will now likely begin in October of this year rather than on September 8. State prosecutors in New York are pushing to start their state case against the alleged assassin in early July, though Mangione’s attorneys argue this does not give them enough time to prepare an adequate defense.

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.

48 minutes ago
News

Dem Leader Jeffries Calls for Murder of Kristi Noem – ‘We Are Dead Serious.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Democrats are threatening impeachment proceedings against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, with House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries using explicitly violent language to target her.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and House Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The statement was made on Thursday at the Capitol.

💬KEY QUOTE: “She needs to be put on ice permanently.” – Hakeem Jeffries

🎯IMPACT: The move signals a heightened level of political tension and aggressive rhetoric from House Democrats, who once again are resorting to violent threats in the face of their own political impotence.

IN FULL

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is under fire for effectively putting a bounty on the head of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, telling his supporters during a press event on Thursday: “She’s got to go—we are dead serious… She needs to be put on ice permanently.”

Since making the comments, Democrats have claimed he meant for Noem to be suspended, thereby nullifying the “permanently” part of his sentence. To put “on ICE” either means to suspend temporarily, or to murder.

In reality, Jeffries is sending a coded message to his supporters, who have been increasingly violent over the past year, and have resorted to multiple attempted murders against the President of the United States, and the actual murder of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.

WATCH:

As a result of Democrat rhetoric, attacks on ICE and Border Patrol officers have spiralled out of control this year.

Join Pulse+ to comment below and receive exclusive email 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.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

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

2 hours ago
Crime
Immigration
Media
News

Don Lemon Has Been Arrested.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal authorities in Los Angeles, California.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Don Lemon, federal agents, and his attorney Abbe Lowell.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Thursday night in Los Angeles, while Lemon was covering the Grammy awards.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Don will fight these charges vigorously and thoroughly in court.” – Abbe Lowell

🎯IMPACT: The arrest follows Don Lemon invading a church in Minnesota alongside anti-ICE activists, ostensibly in a journalistic capacity.

IN FULL

Former CNN anchor Don Lemon was arrested by federal agents on Thursday night in Los Angeles, California, where he had been covering the Grammy Awards, his attorney Abbe Lowell has confirmed. Lemon, 59, now working as an independent activist-journalist, was taken into custody in connection with his participation in the invasion of a Cities Church service in St. Paul, Minnesota, by anti-ICE activists, following a grand jury indictment.

Lemon was there ostensibly in a journalistic capacity, although he conducted hostile interviews with church members and sympathetic interviews with the invaders, even telling one of the latter, “Thank you for your service.” The invasion, which disrupted a church service and sent congregants fleeing with their children, was motivated by the pastor being suspected of having ties to the federal government.

The exact charges against Lemon were unclear as of the time of publication, although federal authorities had previously indicated that they would pursue people involved in the church invasion for civil rights violations.

Lemon’s attorney Abbe Lowell described the arrest as an “unprecedented attack on the First Amendment and transparent attempt to distract attention from the many crises facing this administration,” which “will not stand.”

The arrest comes amid a broader federal immigration operation in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, where authorities deployed 3,000 immigration agents over the past two months. Three other people involved in the same church protest have also been arrested.

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.

16 hours ago
Immigration
News

TX Attorney General Ken Paxton Launches Major H-1B Fraud Investigation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has launched an investigation into alleged H-1B visa fraud involving three North Texas businesses suspected of illegal activity.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Attorney General Ken Paxton, three unnamed businesses, and state officials are involved in the investigation. Governors Greg Abbott (R-TX) and Ron DeSantis (R-FL) have also taken action on related policies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation, announced late Wednesday, is ongoing in Texas, with related policy moves occurring in Florida and at the federal level.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Any criminal who attempts to scam the H-1B visa program and use ‘ghost offices’ or other fraudulent ploys should be prepared to face the full force of the law.” – Attorney General Ken Paxton.

🎯IMPACT: The investigation reflects growing scrutiny on H-1B visa practices at both the state and federal levels.

IN FULL

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) has launched an investigation into allegations of H-1B visa fraud involving three North Texas businesses suspected of illegal activity, according to a news release from his office. The probe centers on claims that the companies improperly used the skilled-worker visa program to sponsor foreign employees through deceptive practices. As the investigation is ongoing, and charges have yet to be filed, the companies have not been publicly named.

“Any criminal who attempts to scam the H-1B visa program and use ‘ghost offices’ or other fraudulent ploys should be prepared to face the full force of the law,” Paxton said. He added that fraud within the program harms Texans by taking away jobs and opportunities, stating, “I will use every tool available to uproot and hold accountable any individual or company engaged in these fraudulent schemes.”

State officials allege the businesses under investigation may have created “sham” companies and operated “ghost offices” to fraudulently obtain H-1B approvals. In one example cited by the attorney general’s office, a company reportedly listed a single-family home as its corporate headquarters while promoting a separate, unfinished building as its worksite in public-facing materials. Civil investigative demands have been issued seeking records related to the companies’ finances, operations, employee rosters, and internal communications.

The Texas inquiry comes amid a broader crackdown on alleged visa fraud at both the state and federal levels. Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) has ordered a freeze on new H-1B petitions submitted by Texas state agencies and public universities through May 31, 2027. Similar actions have been taken in other states, including Florida, where Governor Ron DeSantis (R-FL) directed the state university system to end H-1B hiring.

At the federal level, authorities under the Trump administration have intensified enforcement against visa abuse, launching more than 100 investigations into H-1B fraud schemes and revoking a record number of visas. Officials have also expanded efforts to revoke citizenship in cases involving immigration fraud, arguing that stricter enforcement is necessary to protect American workers and restore integrity to the system.

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.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

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

17 hours ago
Immigration
News

Illegal From Ecuador Hides in Ecuadorian Consulate to Avoid Deportation to Ecuador.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) accused the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis, Minnesota, of shielding an illegal immigrant criminal from arrest.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jorge Miguel Bravo Uriles, Ecuadorian consulate staff, and ICE officers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Tuesday, at the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Unknown to the ICE officers at the time, the building housed the Consulate of Ecuador; however, the building was not clearly marked as the Ecuadorian Consulate.” – ICE spokesman

🎯IMPACT: The illegal immigrant remains at large, with diplomatic tensions arising between Ecuador and the United States.

IN FULL

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has accused the Ecuadorian consulate in Minneapolis of preventing federal agents from arresting an undocumented immigrant with a criminal history after he ran into the diplomatic building during an enforcement operation this week. The incident occurred on January 27 when ICE officers attempted to apprehend Jorge Miguel Bravo Uriles, an Ecuadorian national who had previously been convicted of driving under the influence in 2022 and had past arrests for sexual assault and two separate assault charges. According to ICE, Bravo Uriles fled when officers identified themselves.

“When ICE officers approached Bravo Urgiles and identified themselves as law enforcement, the criminal illegal alien fled into a nearby building,” an ICE spokesman said, adding: “Unknown to the ICE officers at the time, the building housed the Consulate of Ecuador; however, the building was not clearly marked as the Ecuadorian Consulate.”

ICE officials said no officers entered the consulate, but alleged that consular staff actively blocked their efforts to take Bravo Uriles into custody. Video of the encounter shows a consulate employee standing in the doorway and telling officers, “This is the consulate of Ecuador, you are not allowed to enter.” An ICE agent responded, “I did not enter. Relax … If you touch me, I will grab you.” Bravo Uriles was not arrested and remains at large.


Ecuador’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs described the event as an “attempted incursion” and said consulate personnel activated emergency protocols to protect Ecuadorian citizens inside the building. The ministry also filed a formal diplomatic protest with the U.S. Embassy in Ecuador, calling for assurances that similar incidents would not happen again.

Under international agreements governing diplomatic and consular relations, including those recognized by the United States, consular premises are protected from entry by local or federal authorities without permission from the head of the mission. While consulates are not considered sovereign foreign territory, U.S. law enforcement is generally prohibited from entering them without consent.

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.

18 hours ago
William Upton
Immigration

Here’s Why the Trump DOJ Is Suing an Illegal Immigrant for $1 Million:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has begun filing civil lawsuits against illegal immigrants who have failed to pay fines ranging from $100 to $500 for illegal entry, up to $10,000 for ignoring a deportation order, and $1,000 per day for failing to comply with removal.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Department of Justice, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and illegal immigrants like Marta Alicia Ramirez Veliz.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed last week in Virginia, following changes to federal rules that expedited the fines issued last year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Defendant owes the civil penalty pursuant to section 274D(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (‘INA’), 8 U.S.C. § 1324d(a). That section provides that an alien who is subject to a final order of removal and willfully fails or refuses to depart shall pay a civil penalty.” — the DOJ’s civil lawsuit against Ramirez Veliz

🎯IMPACT: Several thousand illegal immigrants received notices of civil fines as of late last year, the DOJ is now pursuing nonpayment through civil litigation.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has begun filing civil lawsuits against illegal immigrants who have failed to pay fines ranging from $100 to $500 for illegal entry, up to $10,000 for ignoring a deportation order, and $1,000 per day for failing to comply with removal. In a civil filing made in Virginia, the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) is seeking the payment of $941,114 plus interest—which brings the total of the judgment sought to over $1 million—from Marta Alicia Ramirez Veliz for having failed to leave the United States for three years after her final appeal was dismissed by the Board of Immigration Appeals.

Notably, the total of just under $1 million is calculated based on a $ 998-per-day fine for each of the 943 days that Ramirez Veliz remained in the United States following the dismissal of her case and her receipt of a notice from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) regarding the fines last year. “Defendant owes the civil penalty pursuant to section 274D(a) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (‘INA’), 8 U.S.C. § 1324d(a). That section provides that an alien who is subject to a final order of removal and willfully fails or refuses to depart shall pay a civil penalty,” the DOJ states in its filing made in the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

While the fine total is significant, it is not the highest judgment sought by the Trump White House. The National Pulse reported in May last year that Wendy Ortiz, a 32-year-old Salvadoran illegal immigrant living in Pennsylvania, received a total fine of $1.8 million for having remained in the country after a final order for removal.

At the time of Ortiz’s fine, around 4,500 illegal immigrants had received notices of civil penalties. However, last summer, President Donald J. Trump announced that his administration would seek to expedite the fines, waiving the 30-day notice requirement and permitting immediate financial penalties against violators.

“DHS believes that the nature of the failure-to-depart and unlawful entry penalties supports the need for more streamlined procedures,” the rule reads. Trump first introduced the policy during his first term, but the Biden government paused it. Trump reinstated it after retaking office last January.

Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok.

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.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

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

19 hours ago
News

Minnesota Man Arrested for Posing as FBI Agent in Plot to Free Luigi Mangione.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Minnesota man was arrested for allegedly impersonating a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent and attempting to free murder suspect Luigi Mangione.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Mark Anderson, 36, of Mankato, Minnesota; Luigi Mangione, accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson; and FBI agents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Anderson was arrested at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on January 28, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Anderson also displayed and threw at the BOP officers numerous documents,” an FBI agent wrote in the complaint, adding: “I have reviewed those papers and they appear to be related to filing of claims against the United States Department of Justice.”

🎯IMPACT: Anderson faces charges of impersonating an FBI agent, while Mangione remains in custody as both state and federal prosecutors push forward with murder and related charges.

IN FULL

Mark Anderson, a 36-year-old man from Mankato, Minnesota, was arrested at the Metropolitan Detention Center in Brooklyn on Wednesday evening after allegedly impersonating a Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agent. Anderson claimed he had a court order to release Luigi Mangione, who is accused of assassinating UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson. According to the criminal complaint, Anderson presented a Minnesota driver’s license when asked for credentials and carried a bag containing a barbecue fork and a pizza cutter.

“Anderson also displayed and threw at the BOP officers numerous documents,” an FBI agent wrote in the federal criminal complaint, adding: “I have reviewed those papers and they appear to be related to filing of claims against the United States Department of Justice.” The 36-year-old Minnesotan is charged with impersonating a federal agent and is set to appear in Brooklyn federal court.

Luigi Mangione, a 27-year-old accused of stalking and fatally shooting Brian Thompson on December 4, 2024, outside a Manhattan hotel, remains in custody without bail. Mangione was arrested five days after the incident at a McDonald’s in Altoona, Pennsylvania. He has pleaded not guilty to both state and federal charges.

Federal prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for Mangione if convicted, with a judge expected to rule soon on whether the death penalty will be pursued. Meanwhile, state prosecutors in Manhattan are aiming to set Mangione’s murder trial for July 2026, ahead of a separate federal case where jury selection is scheduled to begin in September.

The National Pulse reported last October that Mangione has reportedly built up a $40,000 commissary balance while in custody. The money, according to a jailhouse source, has come largely from his leftist supporters. Additionally, sources say Mangione receives between 100 to 200 letters a day, many of them reportedly from women expressing romantic interest. One letter writer allegedly expressed a desire to “bug out on his d**k.”

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.

20 hours ago
TECH
The Resistance

Meta Blocks Facebook, Instagram Users From Linking ‘ICE List’ Doxing Federal Agents.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Meta has blocked users on Facebook, Instagram, and Threads from sharing links to the “ICE List” database, citing privacy violations.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Meta, ICE List founder Dominick Skinner, and social media users attempting to share the database.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Restrictions confirmed this week across Meta platforms including Facebook, Instagram, and Threads.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If there’s a policy violation, we are the only one flagged, despite other sites sharing more.” – Dominick Skinner

🎯IMPACT: Meta’s actions prevent the spread of the database, highlighting the company’s enforcement of privacy policies and sparking debate over transparency and censorship.

IN FULL

Mark Zuckerberg‘s Meta technology company has restricted the ability of users to share links to a website known as the “ICE List” across Facebook, Instagram, and Threads, confirming this week that the site violates the company’s privacy policies. The ICE List database claims to publish identifying information on thousands of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and other federal law enforcement personnel.

Meta spokesman Andy Stone said the company acted under its community standards on privacy, which prohibit the sharing or solicitation of personally identifiable information. Those rules, he said, apply regardless of the political context surrounding the content.

Dominick Skinner, the founder of the ICE List website, has previously described his database project as a way to hold ICE agents accountable for alleged abuses of power. “If there’s a policy violation, we are the only one flagged, despite other sites sharing more,” he claimed.

The Trump administration has taken the opposite view, characterizing the database as doxing and warning that publishing agents’ identities could endanger law enforcement officers and their families. Database websites like ICE List are often used to target and harass suspected federal law enforcement and other government officials, and have resulted in violent confrontations.

The move by Meta comes amid heightened scrutiny of anti-ICE activism and organizing efforts. Recent reports revealed leaked messages from encrypted Signal chats in which activists coordinated efforts to monitor ICE activity and mobilize protests. In one message, a Democratic state lawmaker encouraged participation in such groups, stating, “We’ve got a couple of groups on the app Signal that we would love for you to join, whether or not you want to be part of the resistance network—I fully understand that you may not be comfortable with that.”

Federal authorities have since confirmed they are reviewing those communications. FBI Director Kash Patel said the bureau is investigating the Signal groups, warning, “If they break the law, you should be worried; it’s that simple.”

Tech companies have previously faced pressure from federal officials over tools perceived as facilitating the tracking of ICE agents. Apple removed several ICE-tracking applications from its App Store after law enforcement raised safety concerns.

Image byAnthony Quintano.

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.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad

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

21 hours ago
Immigration

Now ICE Says It Won’t Operate At the Super Bowl.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will not patrol Levi’s Stadium during Super Bowl LX, despite earlier warnings of immigration crackdowns.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE agents, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, President Donald J. Trump, and local California officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Super Bowl LX, February 8, 2026, Levi’s Stadium, Santa Clara, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’ll be all over that place. We’re gonna enforce the law.” – Sec. Kristi Noem in a previous statement

🎯IMPACT: The lack of ICE presence in and around Levi’s Stadium comes as the Trump administration signaled it will draw down the number of ICE agents operating in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota, earlier on Thursday.

IN FULL

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents will not be conducting enforcement operations at Super Bowl LX or at NFL-sponsored events in the lead-up to the big game on February 8. While an unknown number of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) officers will be present as part of a federal security contingent at Levi’s Stadium in Santa Clara, California, the lack of ICE operations contradicts prior statements from administration officials who had warned that immigration enforcement efforts would continue, even at the Super Bowl.

In the lead-up to the February 8 game, federal officials indicated that immigration enforcement agents would be present and conduct enforcement operations. “Those who are here legally and are not breaking other laws have nothing to fear,” one Trump administration official said last week. Previously, in October last year, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stated that ICE agents will be “all over” the Super Bowl in February, particularly in light of halftime performer Benito Antonio Martínez Ocasio, a.k.a. Bad Bunny, saying he does not want to perform at events where illegal immigrants could be arrested.

Importantly, according to details on the federal government’s security presence, ICE agents may not be present at Levi’s Stadium or at NFL events at all. Instead, they will serve an auxiliary role in and around nearby San Francisco and the greater Bay Area. Notably, major sporting events, like the Super Bowl, are considered Special Event Assessment Rating (SEAR) 1, which almost always entails a heavy presence of federal agents, along with state and local law enforcement and private security.

The emphasis on security over immigration enforcement ahead of the big game comes as the Trump administration appears set to reduce the number of ICE agents operating in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area of Minnesota. The National Pulse reported earlier on Thursday that White House border czar Tom Homan announced that the Trump administration will begin drawing down the number of ICE agents in Minnesota. The reduction in the number of federal immigration agents is part of an agreement reached between Homan and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D).

DHS photo by Tia Dufour.

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.

22 hours ago
War
World

EU Finally Names Iran’s IRGC as Terror Org Ahead of Possible U.S. Strikes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The European Union (EU) has designated Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization in response to its role in a violent crackdown on protesters.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The IRGC, EU foreign ministers, Kaja Kallas, Jean-Noel Barrot, and Iranian authorities.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The decision was announced in Brussels on January 29, 2026; mass demonstrations occurred in Iran in December and January.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Repression cannot go unanswered.” – Kaja Kallas

🎯IMPACT: The IRGC will face EU sanctions, including travel bans and asset freezes; however, diplomatic channels with Iran are expected to remain open even as potential U.S. military strikes against Iran loom.

IN FULL

European Union (EU) foreign ministers agreed Thursday in Brussels to designate Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist organization, citing its role in the violent suppression of recent anti-government protests. EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said the move was intended to send a clear signal, declaring, “Repression cannot go unanswered.”

The designation comes amid a major buildup of United States military assets in the Middle East and possible strikes against the Iranian regime and IRGC targets in the coming days or weeks. Earlier this week, the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier strike group, consisting of the carrier and three guided-missile destroyers, entered the Central Command region of the Middle East, which includes Iran.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump has warned Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, that the repression of demonstrators must end or the U.S. would respond with force. The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that President Trump described the situation regarding Iran as being “in flux,” but suggested that Iran’s ruling mullahs are looking to cut a deal. “They want to make a deal. I know so. They called on numerous occasions. They want to talk,” Trump said.

The EU’s decision to designate the IRGC as a terrorist group was spearheaded by Italy and marked a shift by France, which had previously been reluctant to support the designation. The designation places the IRGC on the EU’s terrorist list alongside groups such as al-Qaeda and the Islamic State, triggering measures including asset freezes and travel bans. Kallas said that despite the move, diplomatic channels with Tehran would remain open.

With this decision, the EU has finally aligned itself with the United States, Canada, and Australia, all of which have already labeled the IRGC a terrorist group. The United Kingdom (UK) has not yet taken the same step.

Photo by the Fars Media Corporation.

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.
Pulse Ad
Pulse Ad