Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Suspect Nabbed for Arson at Tesla Site.

IN BRIEF:

What Happened: A man was arrested for allegedly throwing Molotov cocktails and shooting at Tesla vehicles.

👥 Who’s Involved: Paul Kim, a 36-year-old cinematographer who appears to have ties to pro-Palestinian and pro-Communist activism.

📍 Where & When: Las Vegas, at the Tesla Collision Center on March 18.

💬 Key Quote: “This case has been worked around the clock,” Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren said.

⚠️ Impact: Paul Kim faces both state and federal charges, with significant law enforcement resources dedicated to the investigation.

IN FULL:

Las Vegas police have arrested a cinematographer, 36-year-old Paul Kim, on charges related to a violent incident at a Tesla facility in the city earlier this month. Kim is accused of using Molotov cocktails and a firearm in an attack at Las Vegas’s  Tesla Collision Center. Following a police investigation, Kim was apprehended and now faces multiple felony charges, including arson and possessing an explosive device, according to Clark County jail records.

Assistant Sheriff Dori Koren revealed on Thursday that the suspect was identified after fleeing in a Black Honda Elantra, making it possible for authorities to locate and detain him successfully. “This case has been worked around the clock,” Koren stated, highlighting the collaborative effort between local law enforcement and the FBI.

Sheriff Kevin McMahill emphasized the role of technology in the investigation, noting that cameras, drones, and license plate readers were instrumental in tracking and resolving the case. FBI Special Agent Spencer Evans, who manages the Las Vegas field office, noted the federal charges Kim faces over the attack. “For individuals who are contemplating similar attacks, there’s nothing courageous or noble about firebombing private property and terrorizing your local community,” Evans commented.

Kim allegedly attacked the facility at approximately 2:45 AM on March 18. The suspect reportedly fired three rounds into Tesla vehicles in what officials described as a targeted assault. Authorities have recovered numerous firearms and parts from their search, including rifles, a shotgun, and a handgun.

The Las Vegas Sheriff’s Department notes that Kim’s social media presence appears to link him to the Communist Party USA and the Revolutionary Communist International. Additionally, several social media posts appear to link Kim to pro-Palestinian activist groups.

Family members have expressed shock at the news of his arrest, with Kim’s brother, Andrew Kim, declining to comment beyond acknowledging his surprise. This incident follows a series of violent actions against properties connected with Tesla CEO Elon Musk. Law enforcement officials urge the public that participating in similar activities may lead to severe legal consequences.

Image from Paul Kim’s social media. 

Editor’s Note: Due to an automated transcription error, this article first read that Mr. Kim was linked to the Revolutionary Communist Party, USA, which is apparently different from the Revolutionary Communist International. The error was amended when it was brought to our attention.

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Cops Nab Illegal Alien Accused of Molesting 4 Kids.

IN BRIEF:

What Happened: An illegal immigrant was taken into custody in Georgia, accused of molesting four children under the age of 14.

👥 Who’s Involved: The detained individual is Nery Antonio Gonzalez, 36, who was arrested by the Valdosta Police Department.

📍 Where & When: The arrest occurred on March 14 in Valdosta, Georgia.

💬 Key Quote: Chief Leslie Manahan stated, “There are no words to describe the heartbreak of the trauma that these children faced and will live with for the rest of their lives.”

⚠️ Impact: Gonzalez faces numerous felony charges, and authorities anticipate additional charges pending further investigation.

IN FULL:

Authorities in Valdosta, Georgia, have apprehended an illegal immigrant accused of molesting young children. Nery Antonio Gonzalez, 36, is believed to have assaulted four minors at various locations throughout the city. Gonzalez is originally from Guatemala.

The Valdosta Police Department detained Gonzalez on March 14 after investigations uncovered his alleged involvement in a series of sexual crimes. Initially, Gonzalez was under investigation for allegedly molesting two children. However, interviews conducted with the minors led detectives to uncover two additional victims.

Gonzalez faces multiple serious charges including five counts of felony child molestation, three counts of felony rape, and numerous other counts related to sexual battery and cruelty to children. Despite the extensive charges already pressed against him, authorities indicate that additional charges might follow as the investigation proceeds.

In response to Gonzalez’s arrest, Valdosta Police Chief Leslie Manahan emphasized the enduring impact on the victims. “There are no words to describe the heartbreak of the trauma that these children faced and will live with for the rest of their lives,” she remarked. Additionally, she acknowledged the courage of two of the victims who spoke out, leading to Gonzalez’s arrest. Manahan highlighted the collaboration between their agency and community partners that ensured the perpetrator’s apprehension.

The case has drawn significant attention as it involves an individual who entered the U.S. illegally, further spotlighting issues surrounding illegal immigrant crime. The Valdosta Police Department continues its investigation, and Gonzalez remains in custody pending further legal proceedings.

Image from the Lowndes County Sheriff’s Office. 

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Trump White House Jumps on Studio Ghibli Trend to Mock Drug Trafficker.

IN BRIEF:

What Happened: The White House shared a satirical image as political commentary, featuring a mock arrest poster in an anime art style.

👥 Who’s Involved: Virginia Basora-Gonzalez, an illegal immigrant accused of fentanyl trafficking; the White House.

📍 Where & When: Washington, D.C.; Thursday.

💬 Key Quote: “The apprehension of Virginia Basora-Gonzalez demonstrates our commitment to protecting our communities from criminal aliens who engage in serious illegal activities that pose a threat to public safety.” — U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) at the time of Basora-Gonzalez’s arrest.

⚠️ Impact: The use of pop culture art styles in political commentary by the White House is attracting significant public attention.

IN FULL:

The White House took to social media on Thursday to release a mock arrest poster resembling the art style of the prominent Japanese animation studio Studio Ghibli. The post capitalized on a trend on social media of using artificial intelligence to change famous images in the studio’s distinctive style.

The illustration portrays Virginia Basora-Gonzalez, a previously deported individual with a history of fentanyl trafficking convictions. The image coincides with the White House’s prior arrest announcement of Basora-Gonzalez last week. At the time of her arrest, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) stated: “The apprehension of Virginia Basora-Gonzalez demonstrates our commitment to protecting our communities from criminal aliens who engage in serious illegal activities that pose a threat to public safety.”


Studio Ghibli, renowned for its celebrated films such as “Howl’s Moving Castle,” “Princess Mononoke,” and “Spirited Away,” has an easily recognizable anime art style. This is not the administration’s first foray into employing cultural references in its content. Earlier this month, a video generated by the official White House account showed the deportation of gang members, set to the tune of the popular 1990s song “Closing Time” by Semisonic.

Using internet memes has been a mainstay in President Donald J. Trump’s political history and has also featured in his past political campaigns. In the last decade, both pro-Trump and anti-Trump memes have been shared millions of times on social media platforms.

In 2017, during Trump’s first term, political commentator Jack Posobiec described the 2016 Trump campaign’s online operations as the “Great Meme War.”

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DC’s Sanctuary City Status is Now Hanging by a Thread.

The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved a bill on Wednesday to dismantle sanctuary city laws in Washington, D.C. The proposed legislation—called the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act (H.R.2056)—would prevent the D.C. city government from maintaining policies that limit interactions with federal immigration authorities.

“As our nation’s capital, Washington D.C. should be the safest, most ‘America First’ city in the United States, and Congress has the Constitutional authority to end the city’s sanctuary status. My bill is a small step towards returning Washington DC to We, the People,” Representative Clay Higgins (R-LA)—the bill’s sponsor—said.

If enacted, this bill would bar D.C. officials from restricting the exchange of information regarding individuals’ citizenship or immigration status with federal, state, and local governments. It also mandates cooperation with Department of Homeland Security (DHS) requests to detain incarcerated immigrants.

State and local sanctuary laws have been a hindrance to federal immigration authorities, with Massachusetts being an especially infamous example. Often, violent illegal immigrants arrested and charged by local law enforcement are released on bail by far-left judges before federal agents U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) can execute detainer orders and take custody of the individual. This leaves ICE agents having to subsequently spend time and resources tracking down the released illegal immigrant criminal and undertaking an operation aimed at their capture.

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The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee approved a bill on Wednesday to dismantle sanctuary city laws in Washington, D.C. The proposed legislation—called the District of Columbia Federal Immigration Compliance Act (H.R.2056)—would prevent the D.C. city government from maintaining policies that limit interactions with federal immigration authorities. show more
OnlyFans

OnlyFans Hit with $1M+ Fine By UK Court. Here’s Why…

The company behind the internet pornography giant OnlyFans has been handed a $1.35 million fine by a British court for failing to adequately provide information regarding how it accesses the ages of those using the subscription-based website. Fenix International Limited failed to provide precise information regarding the age assurance measures employed on OnlyFans, as required by British communications regulator Ofcom.

The inquiries, initiated in June 2022 and June 2023, sought detailed explanations of the age verification systems in place on the OnlyFans platform. In January 2024, Fenix voluntarily notified Ofcom that it had supplied incorrect details regarding the “challenge age” set within its age estimation technology.

This discrepancy prompted Ofcom to conduct several investigations into Fenix starting in May of the previous year. Suzanne Cater, Director of Enforcement at Ofcom, stressed the importance of accurate and timely information from platforms when responding to their statutory information requests.

“When we use our statutory powers to request information from platforms, they are required, by law, to ensure it is complete, accurate and delivered to us on time,” Cater said before continuing: “Receiving accurate and complete information is fundamental for Ofcom to do its job as a regulator, and to understand and monitor how platforms are operating.”

She added: “We will hold platforms to high standards and will not hesitate to take enforcement action where we find failings.”

Prior investigations have revealed multiple OnlyFans accounts making money from child sexual exploitation and spreading child sex abuse material (CSAM).  One child exploitation investigator stated last year that he reported at least 26 accounts on the site featuring CSAM of underage teenage girls.

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The company behind the internet pornography giant OnlyFans has been handed a $1.35 million fine by a British court for failing to adequately provide information regarding how it accesses the ages of those using the subscription-based website. Fenix International Limited failed to provide precise information regarding the age assurance measures employed on OnlyFans, as required by British communications regulator Ofcom. show more

Zelensky Rejects Any Peace Deal That Surrenders Territory.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territories to Russia that have been under Russian control since 2022. Following Russia’s 2022 invasion, regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia have come under Russian control, in addition to Crimea, which was annexed in 2014.

Despite failed offensives to regain control over the territories since 2022, Ukraine, supported by European allies, continues to demand Russia’s withdrawal.

“One thing is certain: we will never cede our occupied territories to Russia. These lands belong to the Ukrainians,” Zelensky said in an interview with Le Figaro.

Ahead of upcoming peace talks, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff suggested Ukraine’s acknowledgment of losing these territories might be pivotal for a peace agreement. This comment sparked objections from Ukraine, with Zelensky urging the dismissal of Witkoff and yet again criticizing President Donald J. Trump’s diplomatic approach toward Russia.

Zelensky expressed skepticism about Trump’s ability to effectively handle relations with Russian President Vladimir Putin, cautioning that easing sanctions could be perceived as a weakness. He also accused Russia of obstructing peace negotiations, alleging that Moscow demands preconditions like lifting sanctions before agreeing to a ceasefire.

While President Trump has engaged in dialogue with Russian President Vladimir Putin to negotiate a ceasefire, the Russians have accused the Ukrainians of violating an agreement not to target energy infrastructure. Zelensky and his officials continue to undermine the Trump administration’s efforts while European nations like France and the UK talk of deploying troops to the country.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has firmly stated that Ukraine will not surrender any territories to Russia that have been under Russian control since 2022. Following Russia's 2022 invasion, regions such as Donetsk, Luhansk, Kherson, and Zaporizhzhia have come under Russian control, in addition to Crimea, which was annexed in 2014. show more

Mike Waltz’s Venmo Account Reveals Phone Contacts Including Top Reporters.

IN BRIEF:

What Happened: Mike Waltz, the U.S. National Security Adviser, reportedly left his Venmo account publicly accessible, revealing a list of his contacts amid a controversy over leaked military plans.

👥 Who’s Involved: Mike Waltz, Susie Wiles, Pete Hegseth, Walker Barrett, Dan Crenshaw, journalists like Bret Baier and Brian Kilmeade, and the editor-in-chief of the Atlantic, Jeffrey Goldberg.

📍 Where & When: The incident was initially reported by Wired, with the account visibility changed as of Wednesday. The Signal chat leak came to light a few days prior.

💬 Key Quote: Waltz stated, “I take full responsibility,” Waltz said regarding the inadvertent addition of Jeffrey Goldberg to a sensitive national security group chat.

⚠️ Impact: The exposure reignited debate in Washington, prompting calls for resignation from some Democrats.

IN FULL:

A recent report indicates that Mike Waltz, President Donald J. Trump‘s National Security Advisor, had left his Venmo account openly accessible to the public. This revelation adds to the growing controversy surrounding his involvement in a group chat that allegedly leaked sensitive military strategies to the media. Waltz’s Venmo profile, bearing his image, was accessible until it was set to private Wednesday after numerous media inquiries.

The account’s public friend list contained 328 individuals, including figures such as Walker Barrett of the National Security Council and Susie Wiles, chief of staff at the White House. Both Barrett and Wiles were mentioned in connection with a Signal messaging group where planning for a U.S. military operation in Yemen was reportedly leaked, stirring significant concern in the capital. Politicians, including Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX), and media figures, like Bret Baier, were also among Waltz’s connections on the app.

Amid an intense response from Washington’s political circles, Waltz accepted full accountability for the controversy, despite President Trump’s statement suggesting a “lower level” staff member had caused the issue. Democrat lawmakers on Capitol Hill have called for the resignations of both Waltz and Pete Hegseth, the Secretary of Defense who shared the allegedly sensitive information regarding airstrike schedules.

Following the inquiry by reporters, Waltz and Wiles opted to set their Venmo accounts to private. The exposure of private dealings and a chain of high-profile political and media figures attests to potential vulnerabilities in maintaining security and privacy in digital spaces. The incident has triggered demands for stricter oversight and accountability in data and operational security, highlighting the complexities faced by those in governmental advisory roles.

Image by Gage Skidmore. 

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Editor’s Notes

Behind-the-scenes political intrigue exclusively for Pulse+ subscribers.

RAHEEM J. KASSAM Editor-in-Chief
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RFK Jr. Plans to Slash At LEAST 10,000 Jobs at HHS.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly planning to reduce the department’s workforce by 10,000 positions. The National Pulse reported in mid-February that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was poised to cut 5,000 jobs. However, that number has now appeared to have doubled as Sec. Kennedy and staff with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have identified further redundancies.

The reductions are expected to impact several key agencies, including the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). These cuts will follow the exit of another 10,000 employees who recently left their roles through President Donald J. Trump’s federal employee buyout program.

“We are realigning the organization with its core mission and our new priorities in reversing the chronic disease epidemic,” Sec. Kennedy said in a statement. An announcement regarding the job reductions is anticipated on Thursday.

The total number of full-time HHS employees will be reduced from 82,000 to 62,000. Additionally, the department’s 28 divisions will be consolidated into 15, and the number of regional HHS offices will also be reduced by around half.

Meanwhile, HHS is also rolling back COVID-19 pandemic-era funding programs totaling an estimated $11.4 billion—with most of the money designated for state and local health departments. The funds were originally designated for testing, vaccination, and initiatives addressing health disparities in high-risk communities. The department contends the pandemic has concluded and criticized further spending as unnecessary. Termination notices began being sent out on Monday, and the CDC plans to reclaim the funds in about a month.

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Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is reportedly planning to reduce the department's workforce by 10,000 positions. The National Pulse reported in mid-February that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) was poised to cut 5,000 jobs. However, that number has now appeared to have doubled as Sec. Kennedy and staff with the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) have identified further redundancies. show more

Zelensky Launches Scathing New Attack on Trump Team – ‘He’s Good at Real Estate, This is Different.’

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to make backhanded comments at the administration of President Donald J. Trump, claiming that Europe, unlike the United States, “has discipline and no chaos.” He also accused members of the administration of falling for Russian propaganda surrounding the conflict, in comments reported by the BBC this week.

Zelensky singled out a friend of President Trump, Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who recently appeared in an interview with Tucker Carlson and spoke at length about the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

“I think that Witkoff often quotes the Kremlin narratives… I can’t be ungrateful to the Americans for everything they did, but they are often, unfortunately, under the influence of Russian narratives,” Zelensky said.

The Ukrainian leader went on to seemingly insult Witkoff, saying, “He doesn’t look like a military man. He doesn’t look like a general, and he doesn’t have such experience. As far as I know, he is very good at selling and buying real estate. And this is a little different.” Zelensky, a former television comedian, also has no prior military command experience.

The remarks come just weeks after a disrespectful Zelensky was kicked out of the White House after President Trump warned him that he was gambling with World War Three. While Zelensky attempted to apologize for his behavior, Ukrainian officials continued attacking the Trump administration.

Zelensky has a history of ungrateful behavior behind closed doors. A phone call between him and former President Joe Biden in June 2022 revealed that he had angered the former President with his lack of gratitude and constant demands.

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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky continues to make backhanded comments at the administration of President Donald J. Trump, claiming that Europe, unlike the United States, "has discipline and no chaos." He also accused members of the administration of falling for Russian propaganda surrounding the conflict, in comments reported by the BBC this week. show more

Pensioners Arrested for Vandalism at Trump Golf Course.

Two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with vandalism at President Donald J. Trump‘s Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Authorities reported that the incident, involving red paint sprayed on the clubhouse and damage to the greens, occurred early in the morning on March 8:

Vandals attacked Trump Turnberry, a golf resort owned by President Donald Trump, allegedly in response to his recent statements on the Gaza Strip in the Middle East.

…messages were painted on the course in Scotland, United Kingdom, with “Gaza Is Not For Sale” written in large letters. Other images show “F*ck Trump” and “Free Gaza” graffitied on other parts of the property.

Following investigations in Oban, Argyll and Bute, Police Scotland confirmed the arrest of a 75-year-old man and a 66-year-old woman. Both were subsequently released as inquiries continue. The police have stated that the investigation remains active.

Earlier in the month, a 33-year-old man was also arrested in relation to the same incident. Like the others, he was released after initial questioning.

Authorities are yet to provide further details regarding the motive behind the vandalism or the potential suspects involved. The Trump Turnberry Resort, a prominent golfing location, spans 800 acres and is known for hosting significant golf events. Police have urged anyone with information to come forward as they work to piece together the events leading to the damage.

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Two individuals have been taken into custody in connection with vandalism at President Donald J. Trump's Turnberry golf course in South Ayrshire, Scotland. Authorities reported that the incident, involving red paint sprayed on the clubhouse and damage to the greens, occurred early in the morning on March 8: show more