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Category: News
February 18, 2025
News

New Trump Executive Order Seeks to Expand IVF Access.

On Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump issued a new executive order to expand access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The signing occurred at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach. According to the directive, federal agencies will investigate the implementation of greater protections on IVF access and ways to reduce the cost of the procedures for families.

The executive order instructs the Domestic Policy Council to develop strategies to make IVF and similar fertility treatments more financially accessible to Americans. President Trump’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, stated that the order will significantly reduce out-of-pocket expenses for the costly fertility procedure, which can exceed $25,000 per cycle for some families.

During the Mar-a-Lago press conference, Trump’s senior aide, Will Scharf, explained that the order was necessary because many Americans find current IVF costs prohibitive. The policy move comes as President Trump navigates complex discussions on reproductive health, particularly among Evangelical Republicans and women. According to the Trump White House, the order—in part—seeks to help reverse declining fertility and birth rates among Americans.

The executive order was framed as part of Trump’s broader approach to reproductive health issues, which has previously focused on leaving decisions about abortion and embryonic rights to individual states. This position gained attention following an Alabama court ruling last year that classified frozen embryos as children, raising potential legal implications for those who destroy them.

Some Republican constituencies publicly oppose IVF procedures. Catholic opposition to IVF arises from the Church’s stance against practices involving the destruction of embryos. Several Evangelical and conservative Protestant organizations hold similar stances.

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On Tuesday, President Donald J. Trump issued a new executive order to expand access to in-vitro fertilization (IVF). The signing occurred at Trump's Mar-a-Lago residence in Palm Beach. According to the directive, federal agencies will investigate the implementation of greater protections on IVF access and ways to reduce the cost of the procedures for families. show more
February 18, 2025
Education
Politics

Education Department Cuts $600M from DEI Teacher Training.

President Donald J. Trump‘s Department of Education is moving to enact significant cuts in the allocation of federal grants that are funding training programs for teachers focused on topics such as critical race theory, social justice activism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the Biden government, these funds were allocated to organizations and nonprofit groups that work to educate teachers on how to push anti-racism and ‘deconstruct’ supposed white privilege and supremacy. Additionally, the grant money appears to have supported hiring practices emphasizing a candidate’s racial background.

Critics of these programs, such as Erika Sanzi from Parents Defending Education, argue that such training emphasizes race and gender as central criteria for assessing individuals, potentially leading to the integration of these ideas into classroom practices and policies.

“It’s hard to overstate how radical these teacher trainings are—we are talking about forcing teachers to talk about their race at work, asking educators to ‘take personal and institutional responsibility for systemic inequities,’ promoting abolitionist teaching practices and defining equity as equal outcomes,” Sanzi said in a statement, adding: “And not for nothing but all we see are declining outcomes for the students that these trainings purport to help most.”

The Department of Education, in announcing the cuts, noted the programs funded included materials encouraging educators to take responsibility for so-called systemic inequities such as racism, and providing professional development on cultural competence and dismantling racial biases. Additionally, the training sought to build an understanding of racial and sociopolitical histories to combat student marginalization.

These funding reductions are part of President Trump’s broader efforts to identify and cut government waste, fraud, and abuse. Additional recent cuts include $900 million from the Institute of Education Sciences and more than $350 million from Regional Educational Laboratories and Equity Assistance Centers.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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President Donald J. Trump's Department of Education is moving to enact significant cuts in the allocation of federal grants that are funding training programs for teachers focused on topics such as critical race theory, social justice activism, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Under the Biden government, these funds were allocated to organizations and nonprofit groups that work to educate teachers on how to push anti-racism and 'deconstruct' supposed white privilege and supremacy. Additionally, the grant money appears to have supported hiring practices emphasizing a candidate's racial background. show more
February 18, 2025
News
Science

Scientists Call for Elon Musk’s Ban from UK Science Club.

Elon Musk faces expulsion from the Royal Society, a prominent British scientific institution, due to his association with and work for U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, among other companies, has been a Fellow since 2018. However, more than 2,700 scientists have signed an open letter calling for his removal, citing violations of the Society’s code of conduct.

Biologist Stephen Curry authored the letter, highlighting concerns about Musk’s shift towards right-wing politics and his behavior online. Musk has been criticized for associating with alleged conspiracy theories, targeting figures like Dr. Anthony Fauci, and labeling British politician Jess Phillips an apologist for Muslim rape gangs. His involvement with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) under Trump’s administration also drew scrutiny for its alleged impact on scientific research.

The Royal Society has scheduled a meeting on March 3 to discuss the conduct of Fellows and public pronouncements. The Society, founded in 1660, is home to many distinguished scientific figures—though more recently, the organization has become increasingly partisan. Recent resignations include those of Oxford psychologist Dorothy Bishop and Edinburgh biologist Andrew Miller, both protesting Musk’s behavior and the Society’s inaction.

Bishop voiced discomfort with being associated with the organization due to Musk‘s conduct, while Miller criticized the Society’s failure to address so-called “disinformation.” However, an anonymous Society member has expressed concern about the potential for the organization to appear hypocritical if it disciplines Musk alone.

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Elon Musk faces expulsion from the Royal Society, a prominent British scientific institution, due to his association with and work for U.S. President Donald J. Trump. Musk, the CEO of Tesla and SpaceX, among other companies, has been a Fellow since 2018. However, more than 2,700 scientists have signed an open letter calling for his removal, citing violations of the Society's code of conduct. show more
February 18, 2025
Immigration

ICYMI: Federal Agency Squandered $10 Billion on Migrants in One Year.

A recent report by the watchdog group Open the Books revealed vast sums lavished on grants for migrants by the Biden-Harris government. These grants, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Refugee Resettlement, totaled over $10 billion in just one fiscal year. The Office’s responsibilities include managing unaccompanied migrant children at the southern border and resettling refugees entering the United States legally.

The watchdog’s analysis of fiscal years shows a marked increase, with $2.4 billion awarded to nonprofits in FY 2021 and $3.4 billion in FY 2022. This spiked to $10 billion during FY 2023 before decreasing to $4.2 billion in FY 2024. This surge occurred alongside an escalating migrant crisis from 2021 to 2024.

The funds were reportedly utilized for various initiatives, including actively aiding migrants in saving for vehicles and homes while providing loans and legal assistance. Open the Books CEO John Hart criticized the spending, stating, “We’re hurting American taxpayers… How is it moral to ask them to pay the bill for someone who wants to come to this country illegally?”

This revelation comes as scrutiny of government spending intensifies, spearheaded by the Trump administration’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) recently retrieved $59 million initially allocated for migrant housing in New York City, terminating the employment of four Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) staff involved in the transactions.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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A recent report by the watchdog group Open the Books revealed vast sums lavished on grants for migrants by the Biden-Harris government. These grants, managed by the Department of Health and Human Services' Office of Refugee Resettlement, totaled over $10 billion in just one fiscal year. The Office's responsibilities include managing unaccompanied migrant children at the southern border and resettling refugees entering the United States legally. show more
February 18, 2025
News

Boeing’s New Air Force One Faces Potential Delays Until 2029 or Later.

Boeing’s work to develop the new Air Force One presidential aircraft could be delayed until 2029 or even much later. A senior White House official says Boeing’s ongoing supply chain challenges are causing production delays. The updated aircraft was originally slated for completion last year.

The supply chain problems are, for the most part, caused by a number of manufacturers critical to component supply for the aircraft having ceased operations. Known as the VC-25B, the new Air Force One aircraft has already seen its delivery date postponed several times, being pushed to 2027, then 2028, and now 2029.

The Air Force One program is of significant national interest, as the aircraft is the primary mode of air transportation for the President of the United States. President Donald J. Trump has pushed for an expedited delivery schedule during his administration, urging faster program completion.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has scheduled a meeting with Elon Musk, head of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), to explore the possibility of accelerating the production timeline. Ortberg expressed the company’s commitment to meeting White House expectations, stating, “The President wants those planes sooner, so we’re working with Elon to see what we can do to pull up the schedule of those programs.”

The discussion between Boeing and Musk aims to identify potential strategies for overcoming the current supply chain setbacks. Musk, the CEO of SpaceX and Tesla, among other companies, has experience dealing with supply chain and component problems and may be able to help Boeing work out alternative solutions.

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Boeing's work to develop the new Air Force One presidential aircraft could be delayed until 2029 or even much later. A senior White House official says Boeing's ongoing supply chain challenges are causing production delays. The updated aircraft was originally slated for completion last year. show more
February 18, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Crime
Culture

Alleged Leader of Cult of Transgender Killers Found in Backcountry.

Maryland State Police arrested Jack LaSota, a 34-year-old man who identifies as a transgender woman under the alias Andrea Phelps, on Sunday in the state’s western backcountry. The suspected ringleader of the so-called “Zizians,” a transgender terror cult tied to at least five murders nationwide, including the killing of Border Patrol agent David Maland last month, is charged with trespassing, obstructing justice, and illegal weapons possession.

LaSota had been on the run since he skipped a December trial. Previously, he faked his death to duck prosecution and was even declared deceased in San Mateo County, California.

Alongside LaSota, police hauled in Michelle Zajko, another transgender, on similar charges. Both face a bail hearing Tuesday morning in Allegany District Court.

LaSota, who posts deranged ramblings on a blog under the name “Ziz,” styles himself as the cult’s messiah but has dodged direct charges for his followers’ alleged attacks since 2022. Federal authorities accuse alleged cult member Teresa “Milo” Consuelo Youngblut of gunning down Agent Maland in a January shootout near Vermont’s Canadian border. Felix “Ophelia” Bauckholt—also transgender—was slain in the firefight. Youngblut has pleaded not guilty.

Zajko is accused of peddling the guns used to kill Maland and is a prime suspect in the 2022 execution-style murders of parents Richard and Rita Zajko.

In November 2022, LaSota lurked at the scene of a savage stabbing in Vallejo, California, where 80-year-old landlord Curtis Lind fought off a mob of squatters—alleged cult affiliates living in vans and box trucks on his property. Lind took a sword to the chest but managed to shoot dead one attacker, Emma Borhanian. He survived the encounter but was killed last month in a second stabbing prosecutors say was a hit to silence his upcoming testimony.

The suspect in Lind’s killing is Maximillian Bentley Snyder, who applied for a marriage license with Youngblut.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents who raided Youngblut’s Toyota Prius found guns, ammunition, a ballistic helmet, night-vision gear, and respirators.

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Maryland State Police arrested Jack LaSota, a 34-year-old man who identifies as a transgender woman under the alias Andrea Phelps, on Sunday in the state’s western backcountry. The suspected ringleader of the so-called “Zizians,” a transgender terror cult tied to at least five murders nationwide, including the killing of Border Patrol agent David Maland last month, is charged with trespassing, obstructing justice, and illegal weapons possession. show more
February 18, 2025
Education
News

Judge Allows DOGE Access to Student Borrower Data.

A federal judge has cleared the way for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to begin accessing federal student loan data held by the Department of Education as part of an audit of the agency’s spending. The ruling, issued Monday evening, permits DOGE to obtain the data despite opposition from the University of California Student Association (UCSA). The association had filed a lawsuit claiming that granting DOGE access would violate privacy laws.

Judge Randolph Moss of the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia stated that the UCSA did not demonstrate the necessary irreparable harm to warrant blocking the data access. “Because the Court concludes that UCSA has failed to clear that essential hurdle, the Court’s analysis also ends there,” Moss explained in the ruling.

Additionally, Judge Moss noted that the question of UCSA’s legal standing and whether their arguments were valid under existing law would be addressed at a later date when further information becomes available. The ruling is the second major legal win for the Trump White House against Democrat-aligned organizations seeking to curb President Donald J. Trump‘s efforts to reduce government spending.

Elon Musk, the head of DOGE, has been seeking data from various federal agencies to conduct investigations into potential fraud or misuse of resources. However, Musk and DOGE are currently unable to access the Treasury Department due to a separate court order.

District Court Judge Tanya Chutkan is expected to rule late today on a separate lawsuit that could impact DOGE’s access to data and employment rolls with numerous federal agencies.

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A federal judge has cleared the way for the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to begin accessing federal student loan data held by the Department of Education as part of an audit of the agency's spending. The ruling, issued Monday evening, permits DOGE to obtain the data despite opposition from the University of California Student Association (UCSA). The association had filed a lawsuit claiming that granting DOGE access would violate privacy laws. show more
February 18, 2025
William Upton
News
War
World

Zelensky Throws Toys From Pram, Cancels Peace Talks Appearance.

Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky is canceling his expected appearance at peace talks with Russian officials to be held in Saudi Arabia and moderated by the United States. Zelensky instead announced on Tuesday he would depart Ankara, Turkey, where he was holding meetings with Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and head home to Ukraine.

“For Europe, it is fundamentally important that any talks on ending the war do not happen behind the backs of the key parties involved, who are affected by the consequences of Russia’s aggression,” Zelensky said in a press conference on Tuesday in Ankara. He continued: “Ukraine, and in the broader sense Europe, Turkey, and Great Britain, must be involved in the talks and in working out the necessary security guarantees, together with America, that concern our destiny in our part of the world.”

“For a lasting peace, it is important not to make any mistakes. It is only possible when the talks are just,” Zelensky added.

Between the lines, Zelensky’s 11th-hour decision to skip the Saudi Arabia talks is partly due to his desire to bring other pro-Ukrainian countries into the negotiations. Zelensky appears intent on ensuring that the United Kingdom and Turkey are party to any peace discussions, which appears to be aimed at reducing the United States’ influence on these discussions. Zelensky and U.S. President Donald J. Trump have had a strained relationship, with the latter suspecting Zelensky of being unrealistic regarding his country’s position in its ongoing U.S.-sponsored defense against Russia’s invasion.

The National Pulse has previously reported that President Trump and Russia’s President Vladimir Putin have agreed to a series of meetings as the former continues to push the Russians to end their war with Ukraine.

Image by European Union 2023– Source: EP.

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Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky is canceling his expected appearance at peace talks with Russian officials to be held in Saudi Arabia and moderated by the United States. Zelensky instead announced on Tuesday he would depart Ankara, Turkey, where he was holding meetings with Turkish strongman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and head home to Ukraine. show more
chutkan
February 18, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Lawfare

Anti-Trump, Foreign-Born Judge Now Presides Over Crucial DOGE Hearing.

U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who gained prominence driving some of the failed lawfare cases against President Donald J. Trump prior to his reelection, is now presiding over a case involving the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The lawsuit, filed by various Democrat-led states, seeks to prevent DOGE from obtaining access to government data.

Appointed in 2013 by President Barack Obama, Chutkan is a former employee of Trump-Russia hoax dossier firm Fusion GPS and originally Jamaican, from a family of “dangerous subversive agents.”

In 2021, Chutkan denied Trump’s claim of presidential immunity in his election interference case, which the Supreme Court later reversed. Her judgments against the January 6 defendants are also notable, as she issued unusually harsh sentences—sometimes going far beyond what prosecutors requested—and openly criticized Trump’s pardons for those involved, saying they could not “whitewash the blood, feces, and terror that the mob left in its wake [or] repair the jagged breach in America’s sacred tradition of peacefully transitioning power.”

The current case centers on Elon Musk’s DOGE and the extent of its data access and authority over federal employment decisions. Judge Chutkan’s history suggests she will likely be hostile to Trump’s administrative actions.

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U.S. District Judge Tanya Chutkan, who gained prominence driving some of the failed lawfare cases against President Donald J. Trump prior to his reelection, is now presiding over a case involving the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). The lawsuit, filed by various Democrat-led states, seeks to prevent DOGE from obtaining access to government data. show more
February 18, 2025
News

DOGE Says $4.7 Trillion of Taxpayer Cash is ‘Untraceable.’

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has claimed that $4.7 trillion in federal transactions lack something called a Treasury Account Symbol (TAS), a vital tracking code that means tens of thousands of payments over many years are untraceable.

This discovery represents nearly 70 percent of last year’s federal spending, drawing urgent attention to the issue of financial accountability and transparency. On his X platform, Elon Musk highlighted the significance of this discrepancy, noting its potential to lead to significant Treasury payment improvements.

Musk’s advisory body, aiming to streamline federal spending, found that the TAS code had been optional for substantial government payments. Consequently, new mandates have been introduced to require the use of this code, enhancing budget transparency.

The DOGE Tracker website reveals that the department, expected to wind up its primary work by July 4, 2026, has so far achieved just 2.75% of its target, though it has been operating for less than a month at the time of publication. DOGE has a $2 trillion goal.

The cuts thus far reflect a saving of around $400 per taxpayer, with 1,203 initiatives slashed.

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The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has claimed that $4.7 trillion in federal transactions lack something called a Treasury Account Symbol (TAS), a vital tracking code that means tens of thousands of payments over many years are untraceable. show more