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Category: News
February 18, 2025
Immigration

Trump Border Czar Tom Homan Reports Significant Decrease in Daily Illegal Immigrant Encounters.

U.S. Border Patrol encounters along the Mexican frontier have dramatically decreased in the first two months of President Donald J. Trump’s second term in office. Trump’s border czar, Tom Homan, revealed the drop in illegal crossings in a post on social media. In the 24 hours before February 17, agents reported encountering just 229 individuals across the southwest border, a significant drop from the over 11,000 daily encounters counted under the Biden government.

“In the last 24 hours the U.S. Border Patrol has encountered a total of 229 aliens across the entire southwest border. That is down from a high of over 11,000 a day under Biden,” Homan wrote on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “I started as a Border Patrol Agent in 1984 and I don’t remember the numbers ever being that low. President Trump promised a secure border and he is delivering.”

Shortly after taking office on January 20, 2025, President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at cracking down on illegal immigration and securing the U.S.-Mexico border. Additionally, Trump has placed mounting pressure on the Mexican and Canadian governments to commit more resources to preventing illegal crossings into the United States and to curb the flow of illicit drugs.

The low encounter figures coincide with ongoing actions by U.S. Customs and Immigration Enforcement (ICE) and other federal agencies to apprehend illegal immigrants nationwide. These operations have targeted individuals involved in transnational gangs, suspected terrorism, and those with criminal convictions. Last week, Texas authorities arrested a Venezuelan national linked to the Tren de Aragua prison gang, who had a prior conviction for attempting to smuggle firearms from the U.S.

Craig Larrabee, ICE Homeland Security Investigations San Antonio Special Agent in Charge, stated that this arrest underscores law enforcement’s diligence in addressing criminal activities and ensuring community safety.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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U.S. Border Patrol encounters along the Mexican frontier have dramatically decreased in the first two months of President Donald J. Trump's second term in office. Trump's border czar, Tom Homan, revealed the drop in illegal crossings in a post on social media. In the 24 hours before February 17, agents reported encountering just 229 individuals across the southwest border, a significant drop from the over 11,000 daily encounters counted under the Biden government. show more
February 18, 2025
News

DOGE Saves Taxpayers Billions in First Month.

President Donald J. Trump’s Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced it has saved American taxpayers an estimated $55 billion over the first month of his second presidential term. The savings, reported on the doge.gov website, are based on data up to February 17 and are attributed to fraud detection, contract cancellations, asset sales, and regulatory reforms.

Key savings were identified at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), the Department of Education (USAID), the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA). Notable cuts include canceled contracts for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) training and corporate media subscription services, such as POLITICO Pro.

Elon Musk, at the helm of DOGE as a special government employee and senior adviser to President Trump, has faced public backlash, particularly from Democratic protestors. Detractors view Musk as an unelected figure with excessive influence over federal operations. However, in a court filing, the White House clarified Musk’s role, stating he is not the DOGE Service Administrator and holds the same authority as other senior advisers, without independent decision-making power in government matters.

President Trump has vocally endorsed Musk’s contributions to reducing government wastage, framing the efforts as a realization of his election promises to cut spending and federal workforce size. In a statement last week, Trump highlighted the importance of identifying and eliminating “fraud and abuse.”

Additionally, President Trump continues to express confidence in Musk’s work with DOGE. Along with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, and border czar Tom Homan, Musk is a major figure in Trump’s initiative to overhaul the federal government’s handling of contracts, immigration, and spending.

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President Donald J. Trump's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) announced it has saved American taxpayers an estimated $55 billion over the first month of his second presidential term. The savings, reported on the doge.gov website, are based on data up to February 17 and are attributed to fraud detection, contract cancellations, asset sales, and regulatory reforms. show more
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