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dark money

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November 16, 2023
News
Politics

Leftist Dark Money Network Raised $1.3 Billion to Fund Progressive Activism in 2022.

The New Venture Fund, Sixteen Thirty Fund, Windward Fund, Hopewell Fund, and North Fund managed by Arabella Advisors raised $1.3 billion in anonymous donations last year, according to new tax filings.

The Arabella network has emerged as a major left-wing dark money conduit in recent years, with each fund able to hide its donors while acting as a sponsor for other left-wing nonprofits, thus avoiding the submission of revealing tax documents to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS).

“The North Fund is an advocacy nonprofit collaborating with community leaders and organizers to engage Americans in their democracy and fighting for equality across the country,” said one of the funds when quizzed on its activity. “We accomplish this through our fiscal sponsorship model, which allowed us to support a broad range of impactful partners in 2022,” it added.

On several occasions the funds wired substantial sums of money to each other, making it even harder to trace their activities.

“In 2022 alone, these groups spent $1.4 billion to push our country toward more extreme causes and candidates,” commented Americans for Public Trust director Caitlin Sutherland.

“As the 2024 election cycle ramps up, the American people deserve to know just how much influence the foreign-backed Arabella network has on our local, state, and federal elections.”

The network has been used by foreign billionaires to influence American politics, and has links to a lawfare campaign to ban Donald Trump from running for the presidency in 2024.

By Popular Demand.
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6 minutes ago
Economy

Trump Economy Enjoys Significant Retail Sales Surge.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Retail sales in the U.S. rose by 0.6 percent in June, far above expectations, and broke a three-month decline.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. consumers, the Commerce Department, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend.” – Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData.

🎯IMPACT: The data reflects consumer resilience, with gains across multiple retail sectors.

IN FULL

Americans continued to shop in June, with retail sales increasing by 0.6 percent, according to data released by the U.S. Commerce Department on Thursday. This marks a significant turnaround from May’s 0.9 percent decline and ends a three-month slide in retail sales.

The June figures surpassed economists’ expectations of a modest 0.2 percent rebound. Gains were seen across several sectors, including a 0.9 percent rise in clothing and accessory stores, a 0.6 percent increase in restaurant sales, and a 0.4 percent boost for online retailers. Even when excluding autos and parts, retail sales rose by 0.5 percent overall.

Neil Saunders, a retail expert at GlobalData, commented on the data, stating, “June’s retail sales were resilient and they show that the consumer is still willing and able to spend.”

The strength of consumer sales continues to undermine the claims of critics of President Donald J. Trump‘s tariffs that the trade duties would reignite inflation, resulting in higher prices and lower consumer demand.

Earlier this week, the Labor Department announced that consumer prices increased by 2.7 percent in June, coming in well below expectations and signaling that inflation continues to remain subdued. With the June retail data showing additional positive economic signals, the Trump White House is pressing forward with its campaign for the Federal Reserve to cut interest rates.

“‘Too Late:’ Great numbers just out. LOWER THE RATE!!! DJT,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Thursday, in reference to Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell, dubbed ‘Too Late’ by the America First leader.

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By Popular Demand.
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53 minutes ago
Immigration

These GOP Lawmakers Are Pushing Amnesty, ‘Dignity’ for Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: At least 11 GOP legislators are backing a de facto amnesty bill, The Dignity Act, which would increase immigrant inflows and grant multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) is leading the effort, alongside other GOP House lawmakers and some Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill was announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I don’t think that we should be arresting [illegal immigrants] who have been in the country more than five years, don’t have a criminal record, are good for the economy, and they are needed in construction, hospitality, and agricultural,” said Rep. Salazar.

🎯IMPACT: Critics argue the bill would harm American workers, weaken the GOP coalition, and benefit businesses relying on cheap foreign labor.

IN FULL

Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) and at least 10 other GOP legislators are pushing The Dignity Act, a controversial immigration bill that includes multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Despite Salazar’s denial of the term “amnesty,” the bill offers legal status to various immigrant populations, including individuals who have illegally voted in federal elections.

The bill also revives past proposals, such as President Joe Biden’s “Labor Neighbors” program and President George W. Bush’s 2001 “Any Willing Worker” plan, which would open the door to an unlimited influx of foreign workers. Among its provisions, the bill proposes creating immigration centers in Latin America and granting O visas to STEM PhD graduates from U.S. universities, allowing them to remain in the country.

Notably, Rep. Salazar’s legislation has cropped up several times in Congress, with a previous iteration, mostly backed by Democrats, being introduced in January this year. The National Pulse, at the time, provided a breakdown of the bill, which was then and is now tantamount to an amnesty measure.

Critics argue Salazar’s bill prioritizes business interests over American workers. It has drawn support from GOP lawmakers Don Bacon (R-NE), Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Young Kim (R-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), and David Valadao (R-CA). A number of Democrats, including Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), are also supporting.

However, pro-American legislators, including Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), are pushing back, denouncing the proposal as a “wage-cutting, coalition-breaking giveaway.”

Image by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
Politics

Senate Approves Trump’s $9 Billion Cut to Foreign Aid, Biased Media.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Senate passed a $9 billion federal spending cuts package targeting foreign aid and public broadcasters accused of bias.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, NPR, PBS, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Early Thursday morning in the U.S. Senate, with a House vote expected this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s a small but important step toward fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.” – John Thune

🎯IMPACT: The bill eliminates taxpayer funding for NPR, PBS, and foreign aid programs, aligning with Trump’s fiscal priorities.

IN FULL

The United States Senate approved the Trump White House rescission request early Thursday morning, cutting nearly $9 billion in previously appropriated spending, primarily for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Notably, the rescission package includes significant cuts to NPR and PBS, essentially cutting off the public broadcasters’ access to taxpayer dollars—marking a significant victory for President Donald J. Trump’s legislative agenda.

In addition to addressing funding for NPR and PBS, the rescission package also pulls back funding for grants handled by the now-defunct United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Despite having now passed the House and Senate, the spending clawback will need to head back to the lower chamber of Congress, as the Senate did enact some changes to the measure, including restoring funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The House must pass the rescissions by Friday for them to take effect.

The funding cut measure includes an $8 billion reduction in foreign aid, which includes several immigrant and refugee assistance programs. Several programs dealing with international disaster relief and global health initiatives will also receive significant cuts.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) described the move as “a small but important step toward fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.” Despite resistance from two senior Republicans on the Appropriations Committee, Thune secured the passage of the bill with only a handful of changes.

Image by Ron Cogswell.

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By Popular Demand.
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2 hours ago
News
UK

Far-Left UK Govt Dropping Voting Age to 16, Weakening Voter ID—Farage May Benefit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The British government announced plans to lower the voting age to 16 before the next general election, alongside weakening voter ID rules and a move toward automatic voter registration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the far-left Labour Party, Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali, and the Electoral Commission.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The changes are set to be implemented before the next general election, which must occur no later than 2029, across the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “At 16, a young person can work, they pay taxes, they can join the Army. So there’s no reason why from that age, they shouldn’t have a say in who governs our country.” – Rushanara Ali

🎯IMPACT: The proposed changes would expand the electorate by approximately 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds and introduce new voter ID and registration systems.

IN FULL

Britain’s leftist Labour Party government has announced significant electoral changes, lowering the voting age to 16 before the next general election. This change, part of broader election reforms, also includes expanding the range of acceptable voter ID and exploring automated voter registration systems.

Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali defended the decision, stating, “At 16, a young person can work, they pay taxes, they can join the Army. So there’s no reason why from that age, they shouldn’t have a say in who governs our country.” This marks the most significant change to the electorate since the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1969.

The reforms mean that 16 and 17-year-olds will now be able to vote in all British elections. Young people will also be allowed to register to vote from age 14. However, the age to stand as a candidate remains at 18.

Additionally, changes to voter ID rules will allow voters to use even British bank cards displaying their names as proof of identity, alongside existing forms of ID such as passports and driving licenses, significantly weakening security. Automated voter registration is also being explored, with pilot programs already underway in Wales.

The next general election must be held by August 2029, but it could occur earlier at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s discretion.

Polling reveals that half of those aged 16 and 17 do not even want to be able to vote, and only 18 percent said they would vote if an election were tomorrow.

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage believes lowering the voting age could benefit Labour due to a strong left-wing bias in the educational system. On X, Farage said, “Giving 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote is an attempt to rig the political system,” but he added that Labour may be in for a shock as Reform polls in second place among the same demographic.

The populist party appears to be particularly popular among young men; a phenomenon that has also been observed in countries such as Germany and Poland.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
Politics

Musk’s Approval Has Cratered Since He Turned on Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk’s favorability rating has dropped significantly, particularly among Republicans, following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, President Trump, and polling respondents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll results were published on Thursday by CNN.

🎯IMPACT: Despite his slide in popularity, Musk’s proposed “America Party” could still siphon votes from the GOP, benefiting Democrats in future elections.

IN FULL

Elon Musk’s favorability rating has plummeted to 23 percent, according to new polling data released Thursday. The Tesla CEO, who has faced mounting criticism following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump, now sees 60 percent of Americans holding an unfavorable opinion of him. This marks a 12-point drop in favorability since March, alongside a seven-point increase in unfavorable views.

The decline found in the poll, released by CNN, is most pronounced among Republicans. In March, 75 percent of Republicans viewed Musk favorably, but that figure has since fallen to just 42 percent. This shift coincides with Musk’s announcement of his “America Party,” a new political venture aimed at creating a third-party alternative in the U.S.

Musk’s new party is struggling to gain traction. While an unscientific poll Musk conducted on X (formerly Twitter) showed support for the initiative, CNN’s scientific poll found that only 25 percent of Americans back the idea, with 74 percent opposed. The lack of enthusiasm could spell trouble for Musk’s ambitions, especially as the party’s impact appears to be limited to siphoning votes from Republicans.

According to Echelon Insights, the “America Party” would garner just five percent on a generic congressional ballot in 2026. However, that five percent would come entirely from Republican voters, shifting the balance from Republicans +1 to Democrats +4. This potential realignment could have significant consequences for upcoming elections.

Musk’s efforts to establish himself as a political force continue to face challenges, with his declining favorability and the potential disruption his party might cause within the American right. The fallout with President Trump appears to have further alienated a key base of support for the South African billionaire.

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By Popular Demand.
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China Spying

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3 hours ago
Wake Up Right
News

Microsft Accused of Exposing Pentagon to Chinese Spies.

Microsoft is accused of allowing China-based engineers work on U.S. military cloud systems with minimal oversight and safeguards, according to a bombshell ProPublica report.

The details: Beginning in 2016, Microsoft established a program dubbed “digital escorting” where it paid U.S. contractors $18/hr to pair with foreign engineers who worked on federal cloud systems.

  • The digital escorts were often ex-military with minimal tech skills.
  • The “escorts” acted as intermediaries, entering commands into Pentagon servers on behalf of China-based engineers.
  • The data fell below “classified” levels but included materials crucial to military operations.

In simple terms: Microsoft was paying these escorts for access to their security clearances.

Red flag: Experts worry that the digital escorts lacked the tech savvy to detect whether the Chinese engineers were engaging in sabotage or installing malware.

Aren’t there regulations to prevent this? Yes. Per Defense Department policy, individuals must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to access sensitive data.

Zoom out: In 2023, Chinese hackers breached Microsoft’s cloud and accessed data from the Commerce Secretary, the Ambassador to China, and the Pentagon.

What is Microsoft saying? They claim these foreign workers never had “direct access” to Pentagon data.

The last word goes to Michael Sobolik of the Hudson Institute, who said this program was “like asking the fox to guard the henhouse.”

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By Popular Demand.
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16 hours ago
News

Maurene Comey, Epstein Prosecutor & Daughter of Ex-FBI Chief, Fired.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired from the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Maurene Comey, James Comey, and the Southern District of New York.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, at the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

💬KEY QUOTE: A spokesman for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.

🎯IMPACT: The reason for her firing remains unclear, but it follows her role in high-profile cases, including those involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

IN FULL

Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired Wednesday from the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The reason for her dismissal has not been disclosed.

Comey, an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York since 2015, worked on several high-profile cases. These included the prosecution of Epstein and Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for multiple sex crimes. Most recently, she worked on the sex trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, which resulted in the jury acquitting him of significant charges such as racketeering and sex trafficking.

In the Diddy trial, the jury reached a verdict on four out of five charges, finding him guilty only of transportation to engage in prostitution. The nearly month-long trial concluded with Combs avoiding the most severe penalties.

The Southern District of New York declined to comment on the firing. Politico first reported Comey’s dismissal.

James Comey, her father, has been a controversial figure, especially following President Trump’s firing as FBI director in 2017. The Trump administration has investigated him for potential misconduct during the FBI’s 2016 Trump-Russia probe. Earlier this year, Comey faced scrutiny for a cryptic Instagram post that led to Trump’s accusations of incitement.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
William Upton
Crime
Immigration

Businessman, Police Chiefs Indicted for Obtaining Visas for Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal prosecutors have filed a 62-count indictment against a Louisiana businessman and four senior law enforcement officials over an alleged scheme to use false police reports to obtain U-Visa status for illegal immigrants who paid them tens of thousands of dollars.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Local Louisiana businessman Chandrakant “Lala” Patel; Chad Doyle, Chief of Police for the City of Oakdale; Glynn Dixon, Chief of Police for the City of Forest Hill; Tebo Onishea, former Chief of Police for the City of Glenmora; Michael “Freck” Slaney, Marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale; and unnamed illegal immigrants.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The indictment was revealed on July 16, 2025; the scheme is alleged to have taken place from at least December 26, 2015, until July 15, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), “[T]he defendants each face a sentence of up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge; up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges; up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge; and Patel faces up to 10 years on the bribery charge. In addition, they could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. “

🎯IMPACT: The federal charges raise questions regarding the legitimacy of U-Visa status and the potential for the program’s abuse.

IN FULL

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana has moved to indict three local Louisiana police chiefs, a city marshal, and a prominent business leader over an alleged immigration fraud scheme that gamed the U nonimmigrant status (“U-Visa”) system.

According to the 62-count indictment, local Louisiana businessman Chandrakant Patel—also known as “Lala”—conspired from at least December 26, 2015, until July 15, 2025 with Chad Doyle, Chief of Police for the City of Oakdale; Glynn Dixon, Chief of Police for the City of Forest Hill; Tebo Onishea, former Chief of Police for the City of Glenmora; and Michael “Freck” Slaney, Marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale to fabricate crimes in which illegal immigrants or legal immigrants with expiring status would be named as victims or witnesses. This allowed the immigrants to falsely obtain a U-Visa, allowing them to remain in the United States legally.

Federal prosecutors allege that illegal and legal immigrants would contact Patel either directly or through an intermediary to request to be named as “victims” in false police reports, paying Patel tens of thousands of dollars for the criminal act. Subsequently, after payment, Patel would proceed to contact either Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, or Onishea in order to have a false police report, usually regarding armed robbery, created with the immigrant’s name listed as the victim or witness. This would then allow the immigrant to file an application for a U-Visa, with the police report nearly guaranteeing they would secure status.

Notably, the U nonimmigrant status or U-Visa was created in 2000 through Congress’s adoption of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. The law’s intent is to aid law enforcement investigations by granting the ability to provide certain legal protections to illegal immigrants who are either victims or material witnesses to a crime—effecively removing the threat of deportation in exchange for their cooperation.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), “[T]he defendants each face a sentence of up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy charge; up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges; up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge; and Patel faces up to 10 years on the bribery charge. In addition, they could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. “

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18 hours ago
Health
News

RFK Jr. Ousts Senior HHS Aides.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chief of Staff Heather Flick Melanson, Deputy Chief of Staff Hannah Anderson, and Acting Chief of Staff Matt Buckham.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

🎯IMPACT: The shakeup marks the latest leadership changes under Kennedy, who continues efforts to “Make America Healthy Again.”

IN FULL

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff on July 16, continuing a series of dramatic leadership changes and policy overhauls at one of the federal government’s largest agencies.

Heather Flick Melanson and Hannah Anderson were removed from their posts as chief and deputy chief of staff, respectively, following what officials described as a “loss of confidence” in their leadership. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the dismissals and named longtime conservative operative Matt Buckham as acting chief of staff.

The move follows Kennedy’s earlier decision in June to disband the 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) independent panel on vaccines.

Since taking the helm of HHS in February, Kennedy has led one of the most aggressive restructurings in the department’s history. According to reports, his office has overseen the termination of more than 10,000 federal health workers, with further layoffs planned across the CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other sub-agencies.

Entire divisions—including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and several minority health offices—have been eliminated or substantially downsized, as Kennedy pivots HHS’s priorities toward environmental and chronic health concerns.

One of his first actions in office was overseeing the establishment of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission, which President Donald J. Trump created through an executive order. The commission recently published its findings on chronic disease in American children, citing excessive exposure to chemicals, overprescription of psychiatric drugs, and unhealthy diets as core contributors.

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By Popular Demand.
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19 hours ago
Immigration
News

Illegal Border Crossings Plunge to Another Record Low.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Illegal border crossings fell to their lowest level in June, with no parole releases of illegal immigrants, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol agents, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, along the U.S.–Mexico border and nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “From shutting down illegal crossings to seizing fentanyl and enforcing billions in tariffs, CBP is delivering results on every front.” – CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott

🎯IMPACT: Record-low illegal border crossings and increased drug seizures underscore efforts to secure the border and combat cartel activities.

IN FULL

According to new data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Tuesday, illegal crossings at the U.S. border dropped to an unprecedented low in June. The agency reported 25,228 encounters nationwide, marking a decrease from May’s 29,478 and setting a new record for the lowest monthly total ever documented by CBP.

Border Patrol also recorded a historic drop in apprehensions, with only 8,024 apprehensions nationwide in June, down from 10,357 the previous month. Of those, 6,072 occurred along the southwest border, reflecting a 15 percent decline from the 7,183 apprehensions in March. The agency also logged its lowest single-day total ever on June 28, with just 136 apprehensions.

For the second month in a row, CBP confirmed that there were zero parole-style releases of illegal immigrants along the southwest border, signaling a shift in policy enforcement.

In contrast to the decline in crossings, drug seizures across the country increased by 13 percent in June compared to May. Methamphetamine confiscations, in particular, saw a dramatic surge of 102 percent, which officials attribute to ongoing crackdowns on cartel smuggling operations.

CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott emphasized the agency’s determination in a statement, saying:
“From shutting down illegal crossings to seizing fentanyl and enforcing billions in tariffs, CBP is delivering results on every front.” He added that the agency remains committed to protecting the nation “with relentless focus” under President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

Since retaking office on January 20 for a second term, President Trump has signed multiple executive orders to strengthen immigration enforcement. Among them is a directive to build additional border barriers, prosecute unlawful entrants, and take aggressive action against drug and human trafficking.

In April, the White House issued a memo allowing the U.S. military to assume control over federal lands near the U.S.–Mexico border. The order covers the Roosevelt Reservation—a federally owned 60-foot-wide strip along the border in parts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It authorizes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to secure the zone and impose access restrictions as needed to prevent illegal activity.

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By Popular Demand.
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