Tuesday, April 7, 2026

The Arrest Figures Are in for First Night of Trump’s Federalized D.C. Police.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The newly federalized Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made 23 arrests Monday evening, the first night the city’s police force has been under federal government control.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the MPD, and D.C. criminals.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Arrests were made on the evening of Monday, August 11, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youths, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people, and we’re not going to let it happen anymore.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: Those arrested face charges including homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high-capacity magazine, fleeing, operating a vehicle without a permit, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and reckless driving.

IN FULL

The Trump White House announced that the federalized Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made 23 arrests Monday evening, the first night the city’s police force has been under federal government control. While the average number of daily arrests in the nation’s capital tends to fluctuate significantly, the 23 arrests on Monday evening appear to be on the higher end of the daily average despite occurring over less than a 12-hour period.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, those arrested face charges including: homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high-capacity magazine, operating a vehicle without a permit, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and reckless driving. The crime crackdown comes as Washington, D.C., continues to see homicide rates outpace many other major U.S. cities, including New York City. Additionally, residents in the capital have faced a continued spree of carjackings, which have often resulted in the death or injury of the victim.

“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youths, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people. And we’re not going to let it happen anymore,” President Donald J. Trump declared on Monday morning at a press conference announcing the MPD’s federalization. He added: “Every American has a constitutional right to be able to access and petition their government in safety. And countless government officials and employees, likewise, have the right to carry out their jobs in peace without being shot.”

While the corporate media has attempted to claim that crime is either already falling or is not even a problem in Washington, D.C., the city’s crime statistics have been called into question. For instance, in July, the MPD confirmed that Michael Pulliam, a Washington, D.C. police commander, is under investigation for allegedly doctoring crime statistics.

The investigation began after the Fraternal Order of Police complained that the department was deliberately falsifying crime data.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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

show less
show more

House Democrat Promises to Block Trump’s War on D.C. Crime.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Democrat Maryland Rep. Jamie Raskin plans to introduce a resolution to terminate President Donald J. Trump’s emergency powers over the Washington, D.C., police force.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Jamie Raskin (D-MD), President Trump, House Democrats, D.C. Police Union, and the National Republican Congressional Committee (NRCC).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The resolution is expected to be introduced as early as Wednesday, with the House resuming legislative work in September.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is Liberation Day in D.C. and we’re gonna take our capital back,” President Trump stated during a White House briefing.

🎯IMPACT: The resolution faces near-certain failure in the Republican-controlled House but could create political challenges for moderate Democrats.

IN FULL

Congressman Jamie Raskin (D-MD) is preparing to introduce a resolution to terminate President Donald J. Trump’s emergency powers over the Washington, D.C., police force. The powers invoked Monday morning, granted under the District of Columbia Home Rule Act, allow the President to assume control of the district’s law enforcement during emergencies.

Raskin, a vocal critic of Trump, told the media, “Of course, the President has a major political bone to pick with the people of Washington, D.C., who have voted 10-to-1 against him at every opportunity. So this is one more chance to exact revenge.”

President Trump invoked the Home Rule Act on Monday, citing “special conditions of an emergency nature.” The act permits federal control of D.C. police for 48 hours, extendable to 30 days with congressional notification. White House staff secretary Will Scharf confirmed that required notifications have been sent to relevant congressional committees.

Democratic leaders, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), criticized the move. Jeffries claimed, “Violent crime in Washington, D.C. is at a 30-year low. Donald Trump has no basis to take over the local police department, and zero credibility on the issue of law and order.”

Meanwhile, D.C. Police Union President Gregg Pemberton supported Trump’s decision, stating, “Crime is out of control, and our officers are stretched beyond their limits.” Notably, a police commander in D.C. is currently under investigation for doctoring crime data to fake reductions.

Raskin’s resolution is unlikely to pass in the Republican-majority House.

Image by G. Edward Johnson.

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

show less
show more

Judge Blocks Release of Epstein Grand Jury Documents.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge denied a Department of Justice (DOJ) motion to unseal grand jury materials related to Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell’s sex trafficking cases.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer, Jeffrey Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and the DOJ.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued in federal court in August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The materials do not identify any person other than Epstein and Maxwell as having had sexual contact with a minor,” wrote Judge Engelmayer.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling maintains the confidentiality of grand jury materials while leaving questions about Epstein’s associates unanswered.

IN FULL

A federal judge has rejected a Department of Justice (DOJ) request to unseal grand jury materials in the sex trafficking cases involving deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein and his right-hand woman, Ghislaine Maxwell. The decision by U.S. District Judge Paul Engelmayer found that the documents lacked significant undisclosed information about the crimes or the investigations.

Judge Engelmayer noted that the grand juries convened in these cases were not used for investigative purposes and did not hear testimony from victims, eyewitnesses, or suspects. Instead, their function was limited to returning indictments based on evidence presented by law enforcement witnesses over the course of a single day.

“The materials do not identify any person other than Epstein and Maxwell as having had sexual contact with a minor,” Engelmayer wrote. He added that the evidence presented to the grand juries is already largely a matter of public record, with only minor exceptions. The judge also ruled against unsealing additional exhibits that federal prosecutors had hoped to release, citing the lack of new information they would provide.

Prosecutors had argued for unsealing the materials due to public interest and had sought time to notify individuals whose names might be revealed. However, Judge Engelmayer emphasized that the materials would not shed any new light on key questions, including the origins of Epstein’s wealth, the circumstances of his death, or the government’s investigations into his activities.

Maxwell, who was convicted in 2021 of aiding Epstein in trafficking underage girls, is currently serving a 20-year prison sentence. She is appealing her conviction and has recently expressed willingness to participate in interviews with Congress and the DOJ in exchange for a pardon.

Epstein died in a federal jail cell in 2019 in unusual circumstances, in what was officially ruled a suicide. However, this is contested by his brother and many members of the public.

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

show less
show more

Illegal Immigrant Sentenced to Life for Rape, Murder of Rachel Morin.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Illegal migrant Victor Martinez-Hernandez was sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of Rachel Morin.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Victor Martinez-Hernandez, Rachel Morin, Harford County State Attorney Alison Healey, and Rachel Morin’s family members.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crime occurred in August 2023 on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. Sentencing took place on August 11, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You are not a candidate for rehabilitation. There is simply no hope to rehabilitate you.” – Judge during sentencing.

🎯IMPACT: The case underscores the impact of illegal immigration and poor border security on public safety.

IN FULL

Victor Martinez-Hernandez, an illegal immigrant from El Salvador, has been sentenced to life in prison for the rape and murder of Rachel Morin, a 37-year-old mother of five. The crime occurred in August 2023 on the Ma and Pa Trail in Bel Air, Maryland. Martinez-Hernandez was found guilty of first-degree murder, first-degree rape, and kidnapping earlier this year.

During the sentencing hearing, Harford County State Attorney Alison Healey described Martinez-Hernandez as “completely and entirely unamenable to treatment or rehabilitation” while seeking the maximum sentence. The judge concurred, stating, “You are not a candidate for rehabilitation. There is simply no hope to rehabilitate you. You took a life that was not yours to take.”

Rachel Morin’s body was discovered in a tunnel drain along the hiking trail, with an autopsy revealing she died from strangulation and blunt-force trauma. Police reported that Martinez-Hernandez had been living illegally in the United States since February 2023, just months before the attack. He had also been linked to a previous murder in El Salvador through an INTERPOL warrant.

The case has sparked renewed criticism of U.S. immigration policies under former President Joe Biden. Harford County Sheriff Jeff Gahler stated, “The failure here, again, is the immigration system that allowed this person to enter our country illegally and remain in our country and commit crimes.”

Rachel’s mother, Patty Morin, has met with President Donald J. Trump and testified before Congress, emphasizing that her daughter’s death could have been prevented with proper border protocols and a simple DNA swab.

President Trump also weighed in during the murder trial, calling Martinez-Hernandez “an MS-13 Gang Member and Foreign Terrorist from El Salvador” and criticizing the former Biden-Harris government’s immigration policies. Trump pledged, “We will never forget Rachel Morin and are committed to protecting women like her across our Country.”

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

show less
show more

BREAKING: Trump Puts D.C. Metropolitan Police Under ‘Direct Federal Control,’ Deploys Guard.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced he is placing Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control and deploying the National Guard, invoking Section 740 of the D.C. Home Rule Act.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), the National Guard, Washington, D.C. officials and residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C.; Monday morning press conference.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’re going to take our capital back.” – President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Federal control of MPD and Guard deployment mark a significant shift in D.C. policing and governance, with immediate implications for public safety operations and local government.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has announced he is placing the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Washington, D.C. under federal control, declaring, “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youths, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people. And we’re not going to let it happen anymore.”

“We’re going to take our capital back,” Trump vowed at a Monday morning press conference, pledging that he will “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor, and worse.”

“Under the authorities vested in me as the President of the United States, I’m officially invoking Section 740 of the District of Columbia Home Rule Act… and placing the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department under direct federal control,” he said, describing this as “Liberation Day” in the American capital.

President Trump also announced he is deploying the National Guard to help restore order, blaming the city’s Democrat-dominated local leadership for turning it into a “sanctuary for criminals.”

He referenced the brutal beating of former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward “Big Balls” Coristine while attempting to thwart a carjacking last week. He also referenced the murder of Mike Gill, an official in the first Trump administration, during a carjacking spree last year, saying, “I lost a very good person a while ago. He was shot waiting for his wife. He was in the car, they robbed his car, they shot him, they killed him like there was nothing to it.”

“Every American has a constitutional right to be able to access and petition their government in safety. And countless government officials and employees, likewise, have the right to carry out their jobs in peace without being shot,” the America First leader insisted.

This story is developing…

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

show less
show more

Trump Issues Latest ‘Liberation’ Message for D.C.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced his plan to address crime and other issues in Washington, D.C.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Washington, D.C. officials, and residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Monday via Truth Social.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I will, MAKE OUR CAPITAL GREAT AGAIN! The days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people, are OVER!” – Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump pledges to tackle crime and restore order in the nation’s capital.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump vowed that “Washington, D.C. will be LIBERATED today!” in a Monday morning social media post. “Crime, Savagery, Filth, and Scum will DISAPPEAR. I will, MAKE OUR CAPITAL GREAT AGAIN!” he declared on his Truth Social platform.

“The days of ruthlessly killing, or hurting, innocent people, are OVER! I quickly fixed the Border (ZERO ILLEGALS in last 3 months!), D.C. is next!!!” he added. This precedes a press conference planned for 10 AM, at which it is speculated that the America First leader may move to federalize the Democrat-dominated U.S. capital.

In February, Trump posited a federal takeover of D.C., telling reporters, “I think that we should govern the District of Columbia… we should run it strong, run it with law and order, make it absolutely flawlessly beautiful.”

The issue has gained prominence again following a violent assault on former Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) staffer Edward Coristine, a.k.a. “Big Balls,” as he attempted to stop a carjacking. President Trump has already moved to bolster law enforcement in D.C. with personnel from federal agencies, including the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the U.S. Marshals Service.

In March, Trump signed an Executive Order titled ‘Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful,’ declaring that “As the Federal capital city, Washington, D.C., is the only city that belongs to all Americans and… it should showcase beautiful, clean, and safe public spaces,” and establishing a D.C. Safe and Beautiful Task Force.

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

show less
show more

A Progressive Advocacy Group is Suing the DOJ and FBI for Epstein Records.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A far-left advocacy group filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department (DOJ) and FBI for records related to the Jeffrey Epstein investigation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Democracy Forward, the Justice Department, the FBI, and Jeffrey Epstein. President Trump and U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg are also mentioned.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on Friday in federal court in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The court should intervene urgently to ensure the public has access to the information they need about this extraordinary situation,” said Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward.

🎯IMPACT: The case continues to draw public attention, with calls for transparency and questions about government handling of Epstein-related records.

IN FULL

A far-left, progressive advocacy group, Democracy Forward, has filed a lawsuit against the Justice Department (DOJ) and the FBI, seeking records related to their handling of the Jeffrey Epstein sex trafficking investigation. The lawsuit, filed in federal court in Washington, D.C., is reportedly the first of its kind.

The group is requesting documents about communications between senior administration officials regarding Epstein, as well as any correspondence between Epstein and President Donald J. Trump. Democracy Forward claims their Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests submitted in late July have not been fulfilled.

Skye Perryman, president and CEO of Democracy Forward, said in a statement, “The court should intervene urgently to ensure the public has access to the information they need about this extraordinary situation.”

The Justice Department’s decision not to release additional documents related to the Epstein case last month has drawn significant public attention, particularly among online communities and conspiracy theorists. The Trump administration previously sought to unseal grand jury transcripts, but these efforts were denied by U.S. District Judge Robin Rosenberg, who ruled they did not meet federal law’s extraordinary exceptions for public release.

The House Oversight Committee has also subpoenaed the Justice Department for files on the investigation, as part of a broader probe into potential links between Epstein, Trump, and other officials. President Trump has denied prior knowledge of Epstein’s crimes and has stated he ended their relationship long ago.

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

show less
show more

Trump Ramps Up Federal Law Enforcement Presence in D.C. Starting Today.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Federal agents are increasing their presence in Washington, D.C., following President Trump’s directive to address crime in the city.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, federal law enforcement agencies, and local officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Starting Friday, in high-traffic and crime-prone areas of Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C. President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer,” said White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt.

🎯IMPACT: The operation aims to deter crime and increase safety in the nation’s capital.

IN FULL

Federal agents are set to have a larger presence in Washington, D.C., starting Friday after President Donald J. Trump criticized the city’s violent crime rate and vowed to restore order in the nation’s capital. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced late Thursday that the increased law enforcement presence is aimed at protecting citizens in a city she described as “plagued by violent crime for far too long.”

“Starting tonight, there will be no safe harbor for violent criminals in D.C. President Trump is committed to making our Nation’s capital safer for its residents, lawmakers, and visitors from all around the world,” Leavitt said. The seven-day operation—expected to begin Friday and led by the U.S. Park Police—will focus on high-traffic areas and crime hot spots.

Participating officers will include personnel from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), the FBI, the U.S. Capitol Police, the Metropolitan Police Department, and the U.S. Marshals Service. The operation begins at 12 AM ET on Friday and could extend beyond the initial weeklong period. Officers will be visibly marked and stationed in prominent locations.

President Trump recently signed an Executive Order titled “Making the District of Columbia Safe and Beautiful,” which directs federal resources toward enforcing immigration laws and prosecuting violent crimes. Trump also criticized local officials for their handling of crime, citing a recent carjacking incident involving former Department of Government Efficiency employee Edward Coristine, who was violently assaulted. On Truth Social, Trump stated, “The Law in D.C. must be changed to prosecute these ‘minors’ as adults, and lock them up for a long time, starting at age 14.”

Trump has also hinted at a potential federal takeover of D.C.’s governance, suggesting that White House lawyers are reviewing the Home Rule Act of 1973, which grants the city limited self-governance. “If D.C. doesn’t get its act together, and quickly, we will have no choice but to take Federal control of the City,” Trump warned.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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

show less
show more

CBP Agents Discover Cocaine And Meth Being Smuggled In Children’s Game.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers in Philadelphia seized cocaine and methamphetamine hidden inside a children’s board game, “5 Second Rule, Jr,” on July 30. The drugs were concealed under a bag of cat food within the game box and were en route to London after being marked “return to sender.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP)

📍WHEN & WHERE: Area Port of Philadelphia, July 30, 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: “This seizure… illustrates how Customs and Border Protection officers expertly leverage our export enforcement mission to combat drug trafficking organizations,” said Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr., Area Port Director in Philadelphia.

🎯IMPACT: CBP officers and agents seize an average of 1,571 pounds of drugs daily across U.S. ports of entry.

IN FULL

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) intercepted cocaine and methamphetamine inside a children’s game in Philadelphia on July 30. Officers examined the package disguised as a board game and discovered a zip-lock bag and a vacuum-sealed bag under a bag of cat food inside a box for the “5 Second Rule, Jr.” game, which is marketed to children ages six and up.

According to CBP, the zip-lock bag contained 515 grams of cocaine, while the vacuum-sealed bag contained 186.9 grams of methamphetamine pills. The package was shipped from Atlanta, Georgia, to London after being posted as a return to sender—suggesting the potential for a foreign drug smuggling operation based out of the United Kingdom, possibly utilizing board games or children’s toys to conceal illicit substances.

However, CBP also notes that “drug trafficking organizations may swap the parcel’s contents and post it returned to sender, creating the illusion of the parcel being misaddressed.” Parcels may be returned to the sender if they are undeliverable to the address, such as when the address is incorrect or nonexistent, or not accepted by the resident of that address.

“This seizure of dangerous drugs illustrates how Customs and Border Protection officers expertly leverage our export enforcement mission to combat drug trafficking organizations,” said Cleatus P. Hunt, Jr., Area Port Director for CBP’s Area Port of Philadelphia., adding: “CBP officers remain committed to searching for and seizing similar export and import shipments to deprive criminal organizations of their poisonous products or illicit revenue.”

On average, CBP officers and agents seize 1,571 pounds of drugs daily at U.S ports of entry.

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

show less
show more

Transgender Illegal Charged with Child Rape Was Paroled into U.S. Under Biden.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A biological male identifying as a “transgender” woman, who entered the U.S. illegally, is facing trial for the rape of a minor and stalking.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Nicol Alexandra Contreras-Suarez, a Colombian national and illegal immigrant with a lengthy criminal record.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The suspect was paroled into the U.S. by the Biden government in March 2023 and is set to appear before the New York Supreme Court on September 10, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Thanks to the failed sanctuary policies and Biden’s open-border agenda, this serial criminal was freed to prey on innocent American children – but that ends now.” – DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin

🎯IMPACT: The case has reignited debate over sanctuary city policies, “transgender” criminal protections, and border enforcement under the Biden administration.

IN FULL

Nicol Alexandra Contreras-Suarez, a Colombian transgender woman, is facing serious charges, including first-degree rape of a minor under 17 and stalking. According to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), Contreras-Suarez had previously entered the United States illegally in March 2023 but was released under protocols established during the former Biden regime, despite a notable criminal history.

After initially being apprehended at the San Ysidro Port of Entry in California, Contreras-Suarez was released into the country. Following this release, authorities say he was involved in several criminal incidents in Medford, Massachusetts, where charges were filed for armed robbery, prostitution, and assault with a deadly weapon.

Local sanctuary policies in both Massachusetts and New York reportedly prevented federal immigration authorities from detaining or deporting Contreras-Suarez, allowing him to remain free despite multiple charges. The National Pulse reported in July that Contreras-Suarez raped a 14-year-old boy in the bathroom of a bodega in East Harlem early this year.

It wasn’t until February 2025 that Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) issued a detainer at Manhattan Central Booking, finally enabling federal officials to assume custody. Contreras-Suarez is now incarcerated at Rikers Island and is scheduled to appear before the New York Supreme Court on September 10, 2025.

DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin issued strong criticism of local and federal policies that allowed Contreras-Suarez to remain at large: “Thanks to the failed sanctuary policies and Biden’s open-border agenda, this serial criminal was freed to prey on innocent American children – but that ends now.”

The case has reignited debate around sanctuary city policies and border enforcement under the former Biden government. At one point under Biden, as many as 15 percent of the women in federal prisons were actually men claiming to be transgender.

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

show less
show more