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Monday, April 28, 2025
jack smith

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June 12, 2023
Jake Welch
News

Who is ‘Jack Smith’? Biden’s ‘Special Counsel’ Lives Abroad, Married an Obama Devotee Linked to Soros, Clinton.

“Jack Smith” is Joe Biden’s special counsel in the criminal indictment of former President Donald J. Trump. But very few people have ever heard of the man, born John Lumen Smith, who is married to a lady who made a fawning documentary about Michelle Obama family, and whose family is linked with billionaire George Soros, and even Hillary Clinton.

Smith was appointed last year by Attorney-General Merrick Garland to lead investigations into the former President. He is a longtime federal prosecutor and former Chief Prosecutor at the Kosovo Specialist Chambers in the Hague, the Netherlands. As a result, Smith has seldom even been in the United States in recent years, opting instead to live abroad.

Smith’s wife, Katy Chevigny, is a film director responsible for producing Michelle Obama’s hagiographic documentary “Becoming,” which also stars Barack Obama, Valerie Jarrett, and Oprah Winfrey.

Chevigny is a supporter and donor to the Democratic party and President Biden. She donated $1,000 to Biden for President and another $1,000 to the Biden Victory Fund in September 2020. She also made another seven small donations to ActBlue – the Democratic fundraising platform, and to the far-left MoveOn.org’s political action committee.

Bell Chevigny, Smith’s late mother-in-law, was even a Senior Justice Fellow at George Soros’s Open Society Foundation. Bell also sat on the Board of the Human Rights Defense Center, which received donations from the New World Foundation, a liberal New York-based organization closely connected to Hillary Clinton.

Bell is survived by her husband Paul, an anti-police obsessive at the NYU School of Law who blamed Americans for the “harassment of people because of their Arab or Muslim connections” immediately after the 9/11 terror attacks.

By Popular Demand.
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35 minutes ago
Politics

Stefanik Surges Ahead in New York GOP Governor Primary.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A poll indicates Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) holds a significant lead in the Republican primary for New York governor and is narrowing the gap against incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY).

👥 Who’s Involved: Rep. Elise Stefanik, Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY), Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R).

📍 Where & When: New York, based on a survey conducted from April 22-24, 2025, by GrayHouse.

💬 Key Quote: “I’ll make my decision solely based on whether or not I believe there’s a pathway to win,” said Rep. Lawler.

⚠️ Impact: Stefanik’s strong favorability among Republicans and Independents could challenge Hochul’s position in the 2026 gubernatorial election.

IN FULL:

Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY) could emerge as a formidable contender in the race for New York governor, according to a GrayHouse poll conducted in late April 2025. The poll surveyed 826 registered voters and found Stefanik with a commanding lead in the Republican primary, at 44 percent support, leaving Rep. Mike Lawler (R-NY) and Nassau County Executive Bruce Blakeman (R) trailing far behind. Lawler received seven percent and Blakeman garnered five percent, with 44 percent of respondents undecided.

Stefanik, who has a net favorability of +47 among Republicans, also enjoys positive sentiments from Independents. This stands in contrast to Gov. Kathy Hochul, who is facing a net job approval rating of -18, with 55 percent of voters expressing disapproval. Hochul’s favorability has slightly improved recently, marking a shift from a previous Siena College poll.

The poll suggests that if the gubernatorial election were held today, Hochul would attract 46 percent of the vote against Stefanik’s 40 percent, while 14 percent remain undecided. Against Lawler, Hochul would lead with 45 percent to his 38 percent, and against Blakeman, she would maintain a lead of 44 percent to 36 percent.

Lawler plans to decide by June whether he will enter the race, focusing on his perceived ability to pose a viable challenge to Hochul. “I’ll make my decision solely based on whether or not I believe there’s a pathway to win,” Lawler commented during a recent media interview. He added: “Ultimately, we will make a decision on who can make the best case to New Yorkers and defeat Kathy Hochul. Because at the end of the day, that’s what it’s about.”

Support for change appears significant, with 61 percent of New Yorkers indicating it is time for a new leader. Meanwhile, only 18 percent expressed a willingness to re-elect Hochul, and just nine percent were firm in their choice to do so.

The National Pulse previously reported that Stefanik’s nomination for U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations was withdrawn after it became apparent that her congressional seat is critical to maintaining the Republican majority in the House.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
Religion

Vatican Sets Conclave Date for Papal Election.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A date for the conclave to elect a new pope following the death of Pope Francis was confirmed by the Vatican.

👥 Who’s Involved: The College of Cardinals, consisting of 135 members eligible to elect a new pope; notably, only those under the age of 80 can vote.

📍 Where & When: The conclave is set to begin on Wednesday, May 7, in the Sistine Chapel, Vatican City.

💬 Key Quote: “The delayed start suggests that the Cardinals are asserting their authority over the Vatican insiders who were hoping for an expedited Conclave,” said Catholic journalist Raymond Arroyo.

⚠️ Impact: The conclave will determine the next leader of the Catholic Church, following the 12-year papacy of Pope Francis.

IN FULL:

The Vatican announced that the conclave to select a new pope will commence on May 7, following Pope Francis’s death last week. The election will occur within the historic confines of the Sistine Chapel in Vatican City’s Apostolic Palace. This announcement was made after several informal meetings among cardinals, who gathered to discuss Church matters after the late pope’s funeral.

The College of Cardinals, consisting of 135 members, is responsible for participating in the conclave. However, only cardinals under 80 are eligible to cast their votes in this secretive election process. It remains uncertain how many eligible participants will take part in the voting. Known as a highly traditional and confidential procedure, the conclave has strict rules prohibiting communication with the outside world until a new pope is elected. This method dates back to 1621, when Pope Gregory XV introduced it to curb political influence.

Catholic journalist Raymond Arroyo notes that the conclave will have a delayed start compared to past papal elections, suggesting that some cardinals are pushing back against curial insiders who wished for a swift conclave to replace Pope Francis. “The delayed start suggests that the Cardinals are asserting their authority over the Vatican insiders who were hoping for an expedited Conclave,” Arroyo wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter).

More than 180 cardinals took part in the latest informal meeting held in Rome on Monday. The discussions centered on logistical arrangements and immediate Church affairs in the wake of Pope Francis’s passing on April 21. The conclave’s scheduled start date was withheld until after the late pope’s funeral, in accordance with established Vatican protocol.

Image by Nan Palmero.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Wake Up Right
News

Black Hawk Pilot Ignored Instructions, Leading to Crash that Killed 67.

Shocking new details reveal that Army Black Hawk pilot Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach repeatedly disregarded instructions in the minutes leading up to the tragic collision with a commercial airliner, which resulted in the deaths of all passengers.

Refresher: On January 29, 2025, an Army Black Hawk helicopter collided midair with American Airlines Flight 5342 over Washington, D.C., killing all 67 aboard. ​

Rank: While Lobach was the highest-ranking soldier on the flight, her instructor, Chief Warrant Officer 2 Andrew Loyd Eaves, had twice as many flight hours. (This will be important below.)

The new details: A New York Times investigation—based on government documents, cockpit recordings, and interviews with over 50 aviation experts and officials—uncovered a fuller picture of the crash. The following are direct excerpts from the Times article:

  • First elevation instruction: “Warrant Officer Eaves stated that it was at 300 feet and descending to 200 feet—necessary because the maximum height for its route closer to the airport had dropped to 200 feet.”
  • Second elevation instruction: “But even as it reached that juncture, Warrant Officer Eaves evidently felt obligated to repeat his instruction: The Black Hawk was at 300 feet, he said, and needed to descend. Captain Lobach said she would. But two and a half minutes later, the Black Hawk still was above 200 feet—a dangerously high level.”
  • Left turn instruction: “The Black Hawk was 15 seconds away from crossing paths with the jet. Warrant Officer Eaves then turned his attention to Captain Lobach. He told her he believed that air traffic control wanted them to turn left, toward the east river bank. Turning left would have opened up more space between the helicopter and Flight 5342, which was heading for Runway 33 at an altitude of roughly 300 feet. She did not turn left.”

The mission: The Times report also confirmed the purpose of the Black Hawk flight that evening was to evaluate Capt. Lobach in a simulated emergency evacuation scenario.

Perspective: The collision was the deadliest U.S. air disaster since 2001.

Big picture: There is no public information to indicate that Captain Lobach was admitted into the Army due to relaxed DEI standards. However, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has ordered the military to end separate fitness standards for men and women—which includes tests of reaction time.

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Shocking new details reveal that Army Black Hawk pilot Capt. Rebecca M. Lobach repeatedly disregarded instructions in the minutes leading up to the tragic collision with a commercial airliner, which resulted in the deaths of all passengers. show more
By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News
World

Major Power Outage Hits Europe, Capitals in Darkness.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A significant power outage affected Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France, disrupting services like subways, phone networks, traffic signals, and ATMs.

👥 Who’s Involved: The outage involved Spanish generator Red Eléctrica, Portuguese distributor E-Redes, and impacted over 50 million people in Spain and Portugal alone.

📍 Where & When: The incident occurred on Monday across the Iberian Peninsula, including major cities like Madrid and Lisbon.

💬 Key Quote: Senior Portuguese cabinet minister Leitão Amaro noted, “It looks like it was a problem with the distribution network, apparently in Spain. It’s still being ascertained.”

⚠️ Impact: The outage affected transportation systems, halted court activities, and disrupted electronic transactions in both countries. Some areas of France and the microstate of Andorra, between Spain and France, also experienced disruptions.

IN FULL:

A widespread power outage hit Spain, Portugal, Andorra, and parts of France on Monday. The disruption led to issues in public transport, phone and Internet services, and basic utilities such as traffic lights and ATMs.

Spanish electricity operator, Red Eléctrica, reported significant effects throughout the Iberian Peninsula, which has a combined population surpassing 50 million. Details on the exact number of people impacted remain unclear, but several regions in Spain, including the parliament building in Madrid and numerous subway stations, were left without power just after midday. A chart from Spain’s electricity network indicated a significant drop in electricity demand around 12:15 PM, plunging from 27,500MW to about 15,000MW.

In Portugal, similar scenarios unfolded in the capital, Lisbon, as well as in northern and southern areas. The Portuguese government, represented by Cabinet Minister Leitão Amaro, indicated that the disturbances likely originated from issues with the distribution network in Spain. However, the exact cause of the outages was unconfirmed as of the time of publication.

Local distributor E-Redes described the problem as stemming from the European electricity system, which had to strategically cut power to stabilize the grid. Disconnects were also reported in certain areas of France. Some reports indicate a fire on south-western France’s Alaric Mountain, which damaged a high-voltage power line, may also have played a role.

Transportation in the Portuguese capital of Lisbon was severely affected, with subway cars evacuated. Legal proceedings came to a halt, and electronic payment systems, including ATMs, were rendered inoperative, further complicating daily life. Communication was interrupted, preventing mobile phone calls, although some apps remained functional.

Efforts were made to restore service, with France reportedly overcoming its outages and Spain reporting partial recovery of power supply in the country’s north and south several hours after the blackout began.

The incident highlighted the vulnerabilities in cross-border energy dependencies within Europe, where energy security has deteriorated as a result of an ongoing sanctions war with Russia and net-zero policies shutting down many traditional power plants.

Image by Pedro Szekely.

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By Popular Demand.
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April 27, 2025
Economy
News

American Family Businesses Back Trump Tariffs’ Boost to Domestic Manufacturing.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: American manufacturing is experiencing a resurgence, driven by President Donald J. Trump’s trade policies, which include tariffs.

👥 Who’s Involved: Family-owned businesses across the U.S., including Walker Forge, Franchino Mold & Engineering, ELLWOOD, and others, are voicing their support.

📍 Where & When: The impact is noted across various states such as Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and more, as the tariffs continue to be implemented.

💬 Key Quote: Will Walker of Walker Forge stated, “The tariffs send a clear message that companies cannot undercut our U.S. industrial base anymore.”

⚠️ Impact: Tariffs are leveling the playing field for American manufacturers, encouraging the reshoring of production, and protecting U.S. jobs.

IN FULL:

President Donald J. Trump’s trade measures are garnering strong backing from numerous American family-owned manufacturing firms. The businesses, reflecting on years of unfair trade practices, are expressing approval of the administration’s tariffs intended to revive American industry.

Walker Forge, a third-generation business based in Wisconsin, manufactures steel forgings and is one of the companies vocal in its tariff support. President Will Walker emphasized that these trade policies underscore a paramount message: “The tariffs send a clear message that companies cannot undercut our U.S. industrial base anymore.”

In Michigan, Franchino Mold & Engineering’s Mike Hetherington highlighted the challenge U.S. companies face when competing with products subsidized abroad. The impact of artificially low-priced imports, particularly from China, strains domestic manufacturers abiding by stricter safety and labor norms. Hetherington supports tariffs that compel companies to reconsider their sourcing strategies in favor of domestic manufacturers.

ELLWOOD, operating out of Ellwood City, Pennsylvania, has been actively involved in sectors ranging from defense to aerospace. CEO Ben Huffman stated that current tariffs are needed to counterbalance the disadvantages U.S. manufacturers face due to subsidized foreign competition.

Additional support comes from businesses such as Industrial Molds in Illinois. The company states it is witnessing an increase in orders and interest under the prevailing tariffs.

Under President Trump’s tariff policy, many big corporations have announced significant investments in the United States. Tech giant NVIDIA, for instance, stated it wants to invest as much as $500 billion in American infrastructure to manufacture AI supercomputers.

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By Popular Demand.
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April 26, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Immigration
World

Europe Taking Most Asylum Seekers Since 2017.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Europe saw the largest number of accepted asylum claims since 2017 last year.

👥 Who’s Involved: European Union (EU) member states, asylum seekers.

📍 Where & When: Eurostat announced the 2024 figures on April 25.

💬 Key Quote:  “This is the highest value since the peaks recorded after the refugee crisis related to the war in Syria in 2016 and 2017.” — Eurostat.

⚠️ Impact: The stats come as Europe supposedly tries to clamp down on illegal migration, proving that the issue remains unresolved.

IN FULL:

Europe accepted more asylum applications from migrants in 2024 than in any year since 2017, totaling over 430,000 migrants. The European statistics agency Eurostat announced the numbers this week, noting that half of the migrants came from either Syria or Afghanistan.

“This is the highest value since the peaks recorded after the refugee crisis related to the war in Syria in 2016 and 2017,” Eurostat said in a press release.

Germany saw the largest number of accepted asylum claims, making up 34.4 percent of the overall number. Over 185,000 migrants were given full refugee status, while over 169,000 were given subsidiary protection so they could not be deported. Nearly 14,000 migrants entered Europe as part of a United Nations (UN) program, with nearly half ending up in Germany.

Close to half of those who applied for asylum in 2024 were rejected, with Portugal accepting only ten asylum seekers last year, the highest rejection rate in Europe at 99.2 percent. Germany, on he other hand, rejected just 46.6 percent of applications.

Notably, even rejected asylum seekers are often not deported, even if they are officially served deportation orders.

This year, the European Commission, the EU’s unelected central executive, reported that France may overtake Germany as the most popular destination for asylum seekers. France recorded over 40,000 asylum applications in the first three months of this year, compared to just over 37,000 for Germany.

In recent years, many European Union member states have switched to focusing on controlling illegal migration and prioritizing the deportation of those who have no right to stay, as establishment political parties seek to head off electoral advances by anti-mass migration populists. Sweden is offering as much as $34,000 to migrants who wish to go back to their home countries.

Despite the change, the 2024 statistics show the number of illegal immigrants flowing across the borders of European member states remains historically high.

Image by Mstyslav Chernov.

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By Popular Demand.
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April 25, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
War
World

Kiev Mayor Says Ukraine Could ‘Temporarily’ Surrender Land to Russia for Peace.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: Kiev Mayor Vitali Klitschko admitted Ukraine might have to concede land to Russia for a peace deal temporarily.

👥 Who’s Involved: Mayor Vitali Klitschko, President Volodymyr Zelensky, Ukraine, Russia.

📍 Where & When: Kiev, Ukraine, April 25.

💬 Key Quote: “One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It’s not fair.” — Mayor Vitali Klitschko.

⚠️ Impact: The statements could reflect broader support within Ukraine for a peace deal brokered by the Trump administration.

IN FULL:

The Mayor of Kiev, former champion boxer Vitali Klitschko, has admitted that Ukraine may have to surrender land currently occupied by Russia to secure a peace deal. His comments contrast with President Volodymyr Zelensky, who stated that Ukraine would not accept any land being given to Russia, including Crimea.

“One of the scenarios is… to give up territory. It’s not fair,” Klitschko said. “But for the peace, temporary peace, maybe it can be a solution, temporary,” he added. The Kiev mayor admitted that he has no say in any potential peace process and that President Zelensky had not even spoken to him on the matter.

Klitschko is seen as a political opponent of Zelensky and has previously criticized the Ukrainian president. He has previously accused Zelensky of trying to usurp the power of elected officials and stated in 2023 that Ukraine was becoming an authoritarian state.

President Donald J. Trump has been attempting to negotiate a ceasefire in Ukraine’s conflict with Russia, but has been met with resistance from Zelensky, in particular. Earlier this week, President Trump accused Zelensky of trying to sabotage the peace process by making constant inflammatory remarks. These have included refusing to recognize even Crimea, a Russian-majority region that has been part of Russia for over a decade, as Russian territory.

Donald Trump Jr. also criticised Zelensky this week over his refusal to budge on Crimea, saying, “For those who haven’t been paying attention. Zelensky doesn’t want peace.”

Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated last week that talks may fail if there is no progress in the coming days. Despite this, White House envoy Steve Witkoff met with Russian President Vladimir Putin on April 25, and President Trump is also expected to meet with the Russian leader. However, no date for the meeting has been revealed so far.

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By Popular Demand.
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April 25, 2025
Economy
News

China Lifts Tariffs on Select US-Made Semiconductors.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: China has removed tariffs on certain types of semiconductors from the United States, reducing them from the initially suggested 125 percent to zero.

👥 Who’s Involved: The Chinese government, U.S. semiconductor manufacturers, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍 Where & When: The tariff exemptions were reported by a Chinese financial media outlet on a recent Friday, amid ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.

💬 Key Quote: “He’s called. And I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf,” President Trump on speaking with Chinese President Xi Jinping on trade.

⚠️ Impact: The exemptions may signal China is cracking in its ongoing trade dispute with the U.S., although broader tariffs on goods continue, affecting various industries.

IN FULL:

China has quietly reduced tariffs on some American-made semiconductors amidst the trade conflict with the United States. This move lowers tariffs on at least eight categories of U.S. microchips to zero, a significant change from the 125 percent levy previously imposed by Beijing for various U.S. products.

These tariff exemptions on semiconductor imports reflect a selective easing in the economic tensions between the two nations.

President Donald J. Trump recently remarked that negotiations related to tariffs with China are ongoing, yet Chinese officials have denied such discussions. When asked about any conversations with Chinese President Xi Jinping, Trump said, “He’s called. And I don’t think that’s a sign of weakness on his behalf.”

Earlier this month, Trump declared tariffs against several countries. A 90-day pause on higher rates was offered for nations open to negotiation, though Chinese imports remain heavily tariffed. Some goods, including many Chinese-made electronics like laptops and smartphones, have been temporarily exempted.

The Chinese exemptions could offer some respite to U.S. semiconductor manufacturers trading with China. Nonetheless, other American goods and sectors continue to face Chinese tariffs and trade barriers, though even before the trade conflict began, China imported far fewer American goods than goods it exported to America. Trade restrictions have been an escalating point of contention between the world’s largest economies, with varying impacts on global markets and industries.

The move shows that China may be willing to begin trade negotiations with the United States. All other countries that had tariffs placed on them have requested talks with President Trump and his administration.

Image via Wikimedia Commons.

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By Popular Demand.
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April 25, 2025
Politics
World

Trump Reiterates Seriousness About Greenland Purchase, Canada as Potential 51st State.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump reiterated his interest in acquiring Greenland and Canada becoming the 51st state in an interview with TIME magazine, insisting these ideas are serious and not something he has floated in jest.

👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, Eric Cortellessa (TIME magazine interviewer), and Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney.

📍 Where & When: United States, Canada, and Greenland, with the comments being made in an interview with TIME magazine published on Friday.

💬 Key Quote: Trump stated, “Actually, no, I’m not,” when asked if he was trolling about the suggestion that Canada should become part of the United States.

⚠️ Impact: Potential geopolitical tensions concerning U.S. territorial ambitions, and implications for international security related to Arctic regions.

IN FULL:

In an interview published Friday, President Donald J. Trump emphasized his continued interest in acquiring Greenland and integrating Canada as a state in the U.S. Trump addressed these ambitions during a conversation with Eric Cortellessa of TIME magazine, emphasizing that his intentions are genuine rather than mere political jest. When Cortellessa pressed President Trump about whether his numerous comments about extending American influence over Canada and Greenland were just joking, the America First leader responded, “Actually, no, I’m not.”

“I think Greenland would be very well off… I think it’s important for us for national security and even international security,” Trump said. “I think Canada… you said that, ‘Well, that one, I might be trolling.’ But I’m really not trolling.”

“Canada is an interesting case. We lose $200 to $250 billion a year supporting Canada,” Trump noted, stating that he had spoken in the past with then-Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the cost placed on American taxpayers for the U.S. military’s defense umbrella to extend over Canada. The President argued: “We’re taking care of their military. We’re taking care of every aspect of their lives, and we don’t need them to make cars for us. In fact, we don’t want them to make cars for us. We want to make our own cars. We don’t need their lumber. We don’t need their energy. We don’t need anything from Canada.”

He added: “And I say the only way this thing really works is for Canada to become a state.”

Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney has dismissed the notion of statehood for Canada, though he acknowledges that Trump often mentions it. Meanwhile, regarding Greenland, Trump’s motivation revolves around security concerns both in the North Atlantic and the Arctic Ocean. He noted the strategic significance of Greenland amid the presence of Russian and Chinese vessels in nearby waters. Trump conveyed his belief in the importance of controlling these critical Arctic waterways to ensure both national and international security.

Despite Denmark’s jurisdiction over Greenland and the island’s pursuit of increased autonomy, Trump remains optimistic about the prospects of an eventual acquisition, underscoring its value for U.S. security interests.

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By Popular Demand.
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April 25, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Crime
Immigration

WATCH: AG Bondi Describes How Arrested Judge Snuck Illegal Out of Court to Evade ICE.

PULSE POINTS:

❓ What Happened: Attorney General Pam Bondi has described the circumstances that led to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents arresting Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25, 2025, for allegedly obstructing U.S. Immigration and Customers Enforcement (ICE) by helping a previously deported illegal alien, Eduardo Flores Ruiz, escape arrest at her courthouse.

👥 Who’s Involved: Judge Hannah Dugan, Attorney General Pam Bondi, FBI Director Kash Patel, ICE agents, and Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican illegal with a domestic abuse charge.

📍 Where & When: Milwaukee County Courthouse, Wisconsin, with the incident occurring on April 18, 2025, and the arrest on April 25, 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Attorney General Pam Bondi stated, “The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy… She comes back into the courtroom… Takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers… and tells them to leave.”

⚠️ Impact: Dugan’s arrest underscores the Trump administration’s strong stance on immigration enforcement, potentially deterring judicial interference while intensifying federal-local tensions over sanctuary policies.

IN FULL:

The FBI arrested Milwaukee County Circuit Judge Hannah Dugan on April 25, 2025, charging her with obstructing an ICE operation after she allegedly helped an illegal alien evade arrest. The incident, which unfolded on April 18 at the Milwaukee County Courthouse, has intensified the debate over the role of judges in hindering immigration enforcement, with the Trump administration signaling a no-tolerance approach.

Speaking on Fox News, Attorney General Pam Bondi said Judge Dugan intervened when ICE agents arrived to detain Eduardo Flores Ruiz, a Mexican migrant previously deported in 2013 and facing misdemeanor battery charges related to domestic abuse. Bondi detailed the events: “The Judge learns that ICE was outside to get the guy, because he had been deported in 2013, came back into our country, charged with committing these crimes, victim is in court. Judge finds out. She goes out into the hallway. Screams at the immigration officer. She’s furious. Visibly shaken. Upset. Sends them off to talk to the chief judge. She comes back into the courtroom. You’re not going to believe this. Takes the defendant and the defense attorney back in her chambers. Takes them out a private exit and tells them to leave. While the state prosecutor and victims of domestic violence are sitting in the courtroom.”

FBI Director Kash Patel confirmed the arrest, stating that Dugan “intentionally misdirected federal agents away from the subject to be arrested in her courthouse,” allowing Flores Ruiz to initially evade capture. ICE agents later apprehended him after a foot chase, but Patel noted the judge’s actions “created increased danger to the public.” Dugan now faces felony charges of obstruction and concealing a person from arrest, which could lead to up to six years in prison if convicted.

Dugan, elected as a judge in 2016 and endorsed by Milwaukee’s Democratic mayor, previously served as head of Catholic Charities, where she supported refugee resettlement—a background some argue may have influenced her decision to shield Flores Ruiz. The case echoes a 2018 incident in Massachusetts, where a judge faced charges for helping an illegal immigrant escape ICE, though those charges were later dropped.

Democrats have suggested the arrest of a judge by federal authorities signals an authoritarian turn by the Trump administration, but administration officials, including Vice President J.D. Vance, have turned a line previously used against President Trump back against them, stating that “No one is above the law.”

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