The wrenching sorrow of Good Friday and the hidden victory of Holy Saturday have led us to today, the most important day in the Christian calendar.
On Holy Monday, we saw how Jesus challenged the priests and elders in the Second Temple, telling them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.” At the time, they mocked Him, recalling all the time and energy it had taken to construct the building.
But He had not been speaking of their earthly temple, doomed to destruction within a few years. God’s presence was not within its bricks and mortar, but within Christ Himself: “The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us,” St. John tells us —and it was that flesh, that temple of God’s spirit, that Christ raised up on Easter Sunday.
‘HE IS RISEN!’
The first to witness the miracle were the womenwho loved Jesus—Mary, His mother, Mary Magdalene, and others, who travelled to the place where St. Joseph of Arimathea had laid him at dawn, expecting to anoint His tortured body, if they could find a way to enter the tomb.
Yet the tomb they found was already empty, the great stone rolled away. No trace of Him was found—only two radiant angels, who told them, “Why seek ye the living among the dead? He is not here, but is risen.”
Among the disciples, the Risen Christ appeared first to St. Peter, then to the rest of the apostles, and to “above five hundred brethren at once,” according to St. Paul, with many of these eyewitnesses still living to bear witness at the time of his writing.
Last, He revealed Himself to St. Paul—then Saul of Tarsus, a fanatical persecutor of the first Christians—on the road to Damascus, converting him from a bitter enemy to one of the most zealous apostles.
A GOSPEL FOR ALL NATIONS.
After the Resurrection, Christ entrusted the apostles with the Great Commission: “Allpowerisgivenuntomeinheavenandinearth.Goyetherefore,andteachallnations,baptizingtheminthenameoftheFather,andoftheSon,andoftheHolyGhost:TeachingthemtoobserveallthingswhatsoeverIhavecommandedyou:and,lo,Iamwithyoualway,evenuntotheendoftheworld,” He said.
So it would be as He had said in the earthly temple, before the Crucifixion: “My house shall be called a house of prayer for all nations,” whether Jewish or Gentile. (Mark 11:17, KJV).
The wrenching sorrow of Good Friday and the hidden victory of Holy Saturday have led us to today, the most important day in the Christian calendar.
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The National Pulse’s Editor in Chief, Raheem Kassam, joined former Congressman and One America News host Matt Gaetz on Friday night to explain how El Salvador’s President Nayib Bukele tricked Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen into posing, with margaritas, with an alleged MS-13 gang member.
Kassam also discusses his latest article in the Spectator, about the Kennedy Center, and how truth and beauty are “inextricably linked.”
WATCH:
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The National Pulse's Editor in Chief, Raheem Kassam, joined former Congressman and One America News host Matt Gaetz on Friday night to explain how El Salvador's President Nayib Bukele tricked Democratic Senator Chris Van Hollen into posing, with margaritas, with an alleged MS-13 gang member.
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❓What Happened: The Supreme Court issued an emergency ruling stopping the deportation of more than 50 Venezuelan illegal immigrants by the Trump administration, pending further order.
👥 Who’s Involved: The Supreme Court, Trump administration, approximately 50 Venezuelan illegal immigrants, ACLU, Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito.
📍 Where & When: Anson, Texas; ruling issued around 1 am.
💬 Key Quote: “The government is directed not to remove any member of the putative class of detainees from the United States until further order of this court.”
⚠️Impact: The ruling halts deportation proceedings for the detainees and invites the Solicitor General to respond, with the matter pending before the Fifth Circuit.
IN FULL:
The U.S. Supreme Court issued an emergency ruling early Saturday, temporarily halting the Trump administration’s effort to deport more than 50 Venezuelan illegal immigrants. These individuals, detained in Anson, Texas, are awaiting the outcome of several court challenges initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU). The Supreme Court ruling emerged shortly after 1 am and remains unsigned.
The Court’s instruction stated, “The government is directed not to remove any member of the putative class of detainees from the United States until further order of this court.” This directive prevents deportations until legal proceedings advance. The ACLU originally approached the Northern District of Texas with a petition against the application of the Alien Enemies Act, which allows the deportation of individuals deemed threats. This petition was denied, prompting appeals to the Fifth Circuit and an emergency filing with the Supreme Court.
Justices Clarence Thomas and Samuel Alito dissented from the decision, although the significance and direct impact of their objection remain to be detailed. Meanwhile, Justice Alito is expected to release a statement.
The legal challenge hinges on the application of the Alien Enemies Act. The Supreme Court previously affirmed the use of the Act, while also ensuring that individuals targeted for deportation are afforded the right to contest it where they are held.
While the dispute is pending before the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit, the latest decision requires the Solicitor General to offer a formal response to the detainees’ injunction application.
Elsewhere, the ACLU is actively working to shield Venezuelan immigrants from deportation in multiple cities, including New York City, Denver, and Brownsville, Texas. ACLU attorney Lee Gelernt disclosed plans to file proactive lawsuits nationwide, insisting the federal government provide a 30-day notice before any similar deportations under the Alien Enemies Act.
The Supreme Court ruling suspends immediate deportations, ensuring comprehensive review and additional layers of legal scrutiny. Meanwhile, figures estimate that over ten million illegal immigrants entered the U.S. during the Biden administration, many pending asylum hearings or possessing various forms of temporary status.
❓What Happened: ICE and federal law enforcement agencies conducted an immigration enforcement operation, leading to the arrest of over 200 individuals illegally present in the U.S.
👥 Who’s Involved: Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), various federal law enforcement partners, and individuals with criminal backgrounds.
📍 Where & When: New York City, Long Island, and the Lower Hudson Valley, between April 6-12.
💬 Key Quote: Eric Adams, NYC Mayor, stated, “One of the big mistakes that’s being made in some parts of the far-left philosophy is that ICE is a criminal organization. They are not, they are part of our law enforcement community.”
⚠️ Impact: The operation targeted individuals with serious criminal records, aiming to enhance public safety by removing offenders from communities.
IN FULL:
Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), along with federal law enforcement partners, concluded a week-long operation in New York, resulting in the arrest of 206 individuals illegally residing in the U.S. The operation ran from April 6 to April 12 across New York City’s neighborhoods as well as Long Island and the Lower Hudson Valley.
The agency highlighted that many of those detained have significant criminal histories, associated with offenses such as manslaughter, rape, assault, and drug trafficking. Officials specifically targeted offenders considered dangerous, some affiliated with transnational gangs like MS-13, Tren de Aragua, Sureños, and the 18th Street gangs.
ICE stated that a substantial number of the arrests occurred after local New York authorities did not comply with immigration detainers by releasing suspects back into the community. Of those apprehended, 121 individuals had existing major criminal convictions or pending charges.
Among those arrested was Adnan Paulino-Flores, a 58-year-old Mexican individual with a history of sexual offenses. The operation also detained 51-year-old Jaime Gustavo Quizpi-Romero from Ecuador, who had been previously charged with assault and strangulation. Additionally, a member of the Tren de Aragua gang from Venezuela, 22-year-old Edimar Alejandra Colmenares Mendoza, was captured, facing charges related to conspiracy and possession of stolen property.
New York Mayor Eric Adams expressed support for the operation, emphasizing the need to remove criminals from public spaces. “One of the big mistakes that’s being made in some parts of the far-left philosophy is that ICE is a criminal organization. They are not; they are part of our law enforcement community,” he said, aiming to counter leftist claims about the agency.
Judith Almodovar, acting field office director for ICE in New York, praised the operation as a success in protective efforts alongside federal partners. Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons reiterated the significance of the operation, stating that New York’s safety is enhanced through the diligent work of enforcing immigration laws and public safety priorities.
Good Friday, the sixth day of Holy Week, brought the bitter fruit of Judas’s betrayal. Following his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, dragged before priests and rulers, and enduring the Cross to fulfill His mission, Jesus faced a whirlwind of trials, mockery, and torment.
First, Jesus was hauled before Caiaphas, the high priest, for what amounted to a show trial. Silent before His accusers, Jesus spoke only when Caiaphas demanded, “I adjure thee by the living God, that thou tell us whether thou be the Christ, the Son of God.”
“Thou hast said,” Jesus replied, “nevertheless I say unto you, Hereafter shall ye see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven”—a clear declaration, as Caiphas and the priests saw it, of His divinity.
Enraged, Caiaphas rent his robes, crying, “He hath spoken blasphemy; what further need have we of witnesses?” The priests set their minds on His execution, but they lacked the authority to pass the sentence themselves.
PILATE AND HEROD.
Caiaphas first turned Jesus over to Pontius Pilate, the Roman governor. The priests branded Jesus a rebel, claiming He declared Himself king, and called for a death sentence. But Jesus told the Roman, “My kingdom is not of this world.” An uneasy Pilate attempted to pass the decision on to the Romans’ client king, Herod Antipas, hoping to sidestep the situation.
Herod—son of the bloodthirsty Herod the Great—was thrilled to meet the famed preacher at first when He was brought before him, but lost interest when Jesus maintained the same silence He had kept at his trial before Caiaphas. Herod only mocked Him, draping Him in a kingly robe and returning Him to Pilate, no more keen to pass a sentence of death than the governor had been.
Hoping to placate the temple leaders, Pilate had Jesus scourged, with his soldiers pressing a crown of thorns on His head to mock His kingship. But Caiphas would not relent. Finally, Pilate offered a choice—he would pardon one criminal in a special act of clemency, either Jesus or Barabbas, a notorious robber and murderer. Even then, the priests preferred to put Jesus to death, and spare the killer.
“I am innocent of the blood of this just person: see ye to it,” Pilate proclaimed, washing his hands of the matter. Yet he still yielded to Caiphas and the mob in sentencing Jesus to crucifixion.
THE PLACE OF THE SKULL.
Jesus, already weakened by his scourging, was forced to carry His cross to Golgotha, the Place of the Skull—albeit with some help from St. Simon of Cyrene.
Arriving, the Roman soldiers nailed Him to the Cross, affixing a sign in Hebrew, Greek, and Latin: “JESUS OF NAZARETH, KING OF THE JEWS”—to the priests’ chagrin.
At the cross stood His mother Mary, His aunt, MarythewifeofCleophas, Mary Magdalene, and the apostle John. Jesus first entrusted His mother to St. John’s care, then prayed for His tormentors, saying, “Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do” (Luke 23:34, KJV).
The priests scoffed: “He saved others; himself he cannot save. If he be the King of Israel, let him now come down from the cross, and we will believe him. He trusted in God; let him deliver him now, if he will have him: for he said, I am the Son of God.”
Jesus cried out, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” But He was not lamenting that the Father had abandoned Him, he was quoting Psalm 22, where King David speaks of being forsaken, of having his hands and his feet—like Jesus—pierced through, and keeping his faith regardless.
With a final breath, Jesus declared, “It is finished.” His mission of atonement fulfilled, He commended His spirit to the Father and, at last, “gave up the ghost.”
The reaction was immediate: “Then the veil of the temple was rent in twain from the top to the bottom; and the earth did quake, and the rocks rent,” the Gospels record, describing a terrible earthquake which tore the cloth concealing the Holy of Holies, the innermost sanctuary of the temple where God’s presence was believed to dwell.
Even the Roman centurion and soldiers, trembling, confessed, “Truly this was the Son of God.”
In a rare gesture, Pilate allowed St. Joseph of Arimathea, believed to be Jesus’s uncle, to take His body for burial instead of leaving it for the carrion birds. St. Joseph wrapped Him in linen and laid Him in a tomb sealed with a great stone.
Good Friday, the sixth day of Holy Week, brought the bitter fruit of Judas’s betrayal. Following his arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, dragged before priests and rulers, and enduring the Cross to fulfill His mission, Jesus faced a whirlwind of trials, mockery, and torment.
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❓What Happened: The government union representing IRS employees successfully defended a telework policy allowing employees to work remotely up to eight days per biweekly pay period. A federal labor arbitrator dismissed the Trump White House and IRS officials’ concerns regarding performance and service to taxpayers under this arrangement.
👥 Who’s Involved: The IRS, the National Treasury Employees Union (NTEU), an arbitrator, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA), and President Donald Trump.
📍 Where & When: The agreement was finalized last October, with ongoing arbitration over several policies.
💬 Key Quote: Sen. Ernst critiqued, “While the American people are working hard, the tax collectors are trying to hardly work.”
⚠️ Impact: The ruling allows for substantial remote work at the IRS, leading to criticism regarding taxpayer-funded unions and concerns over IRS employee performance. There is ongoing tension over telework policies in federal agencies.
IN FULL:
Prior to President Donald J. Trump’s second term in office, employees at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) secured a lucrative policy allowing them to work remotely all but one day a week through an agreement between the agency and the National Treasury Employees Union. The policy received significant pushback from IRS senior leadership, who contend that excessive teleworking could hinder the agency’s ability to serve taxpayers effectively.
Consequently, the Trump White House and the IRS have attempted to roll back the telework agreement and cap telework to just six days per pay period—a modest change that would essentially require workers to be in the office twice a week. However, a federal labor arbitrator has intervened and rejected the telework changes. “To hold telework solely responsible for such issues is inappropriate. Given the need for supervisors to assess the portability of an individual employee’s work, I am not convinced there should be an arbitrary six-day cap,” the arbitrator said regarding their decision to reject the six-day telework policy.
Notably, the National Treasury Employees Union, representing career IRS and Treasury Department employees, uses taxpayer dollars to fund labor negotiations and arbitration cases with the federal government. The most recent available public data shows that around $160 million in taxpayer dollars were spent on government union activities in 2019.
While efforts to rein in the tax collection agency’s absurdly lax telework policy have thus far proven unsuccessful, the arbitrator did agree with the Trump White House that the IRS’s employee bonus structure was too generous. Instead, the arbitrator determines that employee bonuses will be more limited in size and scope, with individual units under the agency determining the qualifying standards.
In a recent media interview, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA)—who chairs the Senate DOGE Caucus—blasted the telework policy and taxpayer funding of government union collective bargaining negotiations. “While the American people are working hard, the tax collectors are trying to hardly work,” the Iowa Senator said, adding: “It is infuriating that our tax dollars are footing the bill for union bosses to negotiate for IRS bureaucrats to get cushy telework agreements and bloated bonus structures.”
❓What Happened: NewsNation host Chris Cuomo discussed with Democratic strategist James Carville the political consequences of advocating for the return of deported Kilmar Abrego Garcia, an alleged MS-13 gang member, whose deportation order sparked controversy.
👥 Who’s Involved: Chris Cuomo, James Carville, Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen, Kilmar Abrego Garcia, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).
📍 Where & When: The discussion took place on the “CUOMO” show on Wednesday. The events are linked to Garcia’s deportation to El Salvador.
💬 Key Quote: Chris Cuomo commented, “… it does look, with Van Hollen running down to El Salvador, like you guys are pleading the case of a gang banger and trying to bring him back into this country.”
⚠️ Impact: The situation highlights tensions around deportation policies and Democratic strategies.
IN FULL:
NewsNation host Chris Cuomo engaged Democratic strategist James Carville in a debate over the political challenges surrounding the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a man deported due to alleged ties with the notorious MS-13 gang. This conversation took place on Wednesday on Cuomo’s show, drawing attention to broader contentious immigration policy issues.
The Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed earlier that day Garcia’s alleged association with the gang, spotlighting a fierce political struggle as Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen continues efforts to have Garcia returned to the United States from El Salvador. Van Hollen has reportedly faced hurdles in his attempts to meet Garcia and local officials in El Salvador.
Cuomo, addressing potential political fallout, suggested that Van Hollen’s actions might project an image of the Democrats siding with a figure perceived as a criminal by the public. “Politically, if you want to argue due process, that’s high ground. But it does look… like you guys are pleading the case of a gang banger,” Cuomo stated. Carville, however, firmly believes in the judicial imperative to return Garcia to the U.S., citing an obligation to uphold constitutional rights and judicial decisions.
Records show Garcia entered the United States illegally in 2011, leading to his detainment and subsequent deportation. Controversy grew as Carville claimed that Garcia was innocent, despite the Department of Homeland Security court filings that also mention a request for a domestic violence restraining order against him.
❓What Happened: SpaceX proposed launching 400 to over 1,000 satellites to track missiles as part of a potential “Golden Dome” missile defense system.
👥 Who’s Involved: SpaceX, President Donald Trump, Palantir, Anduril, and Elon Musk.
📍 Where & When: News reported on April 18, 2025, related to U.S. missile defense initiatives.
💬 Key Quote: Elon Musk stated on X that SpaceX has not attempted to bid for any contract, and he mentioned, “If the President asks us, we will do so, but I hope that other companies can do this.”
⚠️ Impact: The potential project could involve a multi-billion-dollar investment and require government funding for continued use.
IN FULL:
SpaceX has expressed interest in contributing to a proposed missile defense system in the United States that could involve launching hundreds of satellites. Reports indicate that SpaceX, alongside Palantir and Anduril, is participating in efforts to develop a missile defense network similar to Israel’s Iron Dome. The project, referred to as the “Golden Dome,” aims to sense and intercept incoming missiles.
The proposal includes deploying between 400 and over 1,000 satellites for missile tracking. Additionally, a separate fleet of approximately 200 satellites equipped with either missiles or lasers has been suggested for destroying threats. This plan aligns with an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump earlier in the year.
SpaceX’s role is expected to center on providing satellite infrastructure rather than weaponizing satellites. The projected expenditure for SpaceX’s portion ranges from $6 billion to $10 billion. Funding the initiative might involve a subscription-based model in which the government would pay for continuous satellite use.
Elon Musk has clarified SpaceX’s current position, stating the company has not placed bids for any contracts related to this system. Musk emphasized that SpaceX would participate if requested by national authorities, but he urged other entities to take up the endeavor.
If realized, the initiative would require significant investment and time to materialize. Analysts and observers suggest years of development could be needed to fully implement such a system and ensure its effectiveness in missile interception.
❓What Happened: Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that the US might halt efforts for a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine if there’s no significant progress soon.
👥 Who’s Involved: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, President Donald Trump, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal.
📍 Where & When: Statements were made in Paris on Friday during diplomatic talks; ceasefire determination timeline is described as “a matter of days.”
💬 Key Quote: “We need to determine very quickly now, and I’m talking about a matter of days, whether or not this is doable,” Rubio said.
⚠️ Impact: Failure to reach a ceasefire may lead the US to refocus its efforts; meanwhile, a US-Ukraine mineral deal is pending finalization.
IN FULL:
Secretary of State Marco Rubio signaled this week that his State Department is failing to secure any resolution to the Ukraine-Russia conflict as the administration nears its 100th day in office.
As a result, the United States may abandon its attempts to secure a comprehensive ceasefire in Ukraine if no substantial progress is seen within a matter of days, Rubio announced Friday. Speaking in Paris after diplomatic discussions, Rubio emphasized the urgency of assessing the feasibility of ending the conflict soon. Without sufficient headway, he indicated that the US government could discontinue peace efforts.
The conflict in Ukraine, which dates back over a decade to the U.S and EU-backed overthrow of an elected leader in the once buffer nation, has seen limited resolution, despite various diplomatic engagements and talks with both Russian and Ukrainian leaders. President Donald Trump has shown a desire to conclude the hostilities promptly, though efforts have so far been marked by minimal concessions from either side.
Rubio has engaged with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov multiple times to facilitate a truce, labeling a recent phone exchange as “constructive.” However, a 30-day moratorium intended to reduce attacks on energy facilities lapsed without significant effect, with both countries exchanging accusations of violations.
While a ceasefire appears elusive, the US and Ukraine are progressing towards a resource agreement anticipated by April 26. A memorandum, whose details emerged on Friday, hints at US access to Ukrainian rare earth minerals essential for advanced technology. This prospective deal aims to bolster US-Ukraine relations and ensure enduring support.
Discussions continue, and Ukrainian Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal is scheduled to meet US Treasury officials in Washington. This meeting aims to finalize the arrangement, which proponents believe could aid Ukraine’s reconstruction financing efforts. The memorandum underlines existing US aid to Ukraine, addressing potential repayment through crucial mineral resources.
Simultaneously, hostilities persist, with Russian strikes hitting several areas in Ukraine, reportedly causing mass casualties and damage.
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Editor’s Notes
Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.
❓What Happened: The Trump administration announced plans to impose new fees at U.S. ports on Chinese-made vessels as part of its trade strategy with China.
👥 Who’s Involved: The U.S. government, through the Office of the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR), has taken these measures, primarily affecting Chinese shipping companies.
📍 Where & When: The announcement was made on Thursday evening. These changes will influence port operations across the United States.
💬 Key Quote: Captain John Konrad, founder and CEO of gCaptain, expressed concern: “Nothing in my 18 years since founding Captain has caused more panic than [the USTR’s] recent proposal…”
⚠️ Impact: The decision may influence U.S.-China trade relations and U.S. port operations. The trade community has raised concerns over the immediate effects and structural capacity in the shipping industry.
IN FULL:
The Trump administration has continued its pursuit against Communist China by implementing new port fees on vessels built in the hostile nation. These fees are part of a broader strategy to present a firmer stance in line with Trump’s campaign pledges on trade. Despite halting a broader reciprocal tariff plan, Trump has intensified specific levies on China due to intense retaliatory moves from Beijing. In reaction to this, the U.S. is currently considering a 245 percent duty on imports from China.
Chinese authorities have dismissed the U.S. threats as inconsequential. Following a detailed inquiry lasting nine months, the USTR announced plans for additional charges on Chinese-made ships, referring to undiscriminating fees that will also cover certain maritime service activities. It was found that China’s policies have compromised U.S. business engagements within the maritime industry and posed risks to economic security by increasing dependency on Chinese imports.
This policy adjustment follows a troublesome period during the Biden administration when supply chains heavily reliant on China faced severe disruption. This led numerous countries to seek reduced dependence on Chinese freight services. As a result, the U.S. adapted by increasing imports from countries like Mexico and Canada.
However, several industry figures raised alarms owing to the comprehensive application of these fees. The USTR responded by instituting phased implementation, initially setting the fee at zero dollars for 180 days, increasing gradually each year. There are exemptions for certain U.S. Maritime Administration programs, vessels arriving empty, and others based on specific criteria, aiming to mitigate undue economic strain on U.S. businesses.
Fees will be assessed based on cargo weight, not the number of ports visited, with calculations occurring up to five times annually. Exemptions include operations in the Great Lakes, the Caribbean, and U.S. territories.
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