GET THE APP
Thursday, February 5, 2026

Category: News
February 14, 2025
Jack Montgomery
Immigration
World

Vance Tells Germans to Respect AfD and Its Voters.

U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has called for Germany’s establishment parties to reconsider their policy of shutting out the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Vance said, “I think, unfortunately, the will of voters has been ignored by a lot of our European friends.”

“It’s really about censorship and about migration, about this fear that President Trump and I have, that European leaders are kind of terrified of their own people,” the Vice President explained to the press ahead of his address to the conference.

Vance struck a similar tone when turning to the question of supposed Russian influence over the European political discourse, saying, “If your democratic society can be taken down by $200,000 of social media ads, then you should think seriously about how strong your grip on or how strong your understanding of the will of the people actually is.”

The AfD is currently the second-most popular party in Germany, projected to place ahead of the governing Social Democrats and their current and former coalition partners in the Green and Free Democratic parties. It will likely place behind the Christian Democratic Union (CDU), a notionally right-wing party that occasionally indulges in anti-mass migration rhetoric but was formerly led by Angela Merkel, who opened Germany to millions of Middle Eastern migrants.

Elon Musk, the tech mogul leading the Department for Government Efficiency (DOGE) for the Trump administration, has previously endorsed the AfD, calling it the only party that can save Germany.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

show less
U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has called for Germany's establishment parties to reconsider their policy of shutting out the populist Alternative for Germany (AfD) party. Speaking at the Munich Security Conference, Vance said, “I think, unfortunately, the will of voters has been ignored by a lot of our European friends.” show more
February 14, 2025
Immigration
NatSec

Afghan Accused of Munich Car Ramming Suspected to Have Islamist Motive.

An Afghan bodybuilder has been arrested after a car was plowed into a crowd in Munich, Germany, injuring 36 people, with two, including a toddler, in critical condition. The incident occurred on Thursday morning when a Mini Cooper drove into a group of trade union strikers on Seidlstrasse. Authorities suspect the act may be linked to Islamist extremism, as revealed in a Friday morning police statement.

The suspect, identified as 24-year-old Farhad Noori, reportedly confessed to intentionally driving into the crowd. German anti-terror police are leading the investigation. Noori, who emigrated from Kabul in 2016, had an asylum application denied by the Federal Office for Migration and Refugees. However, due to security concerns in Afghanistan, he was allowed to stay in Germany anyway.

Noori’s social media presence shows indications of extremist connections, including posts that were reportedly supportive of Islamist ideologies. His now-deactivated accounts also showcased his passion for bodybuilding, a sport in which he competed nationally.

The attack occurred near the Munich Security Conference, attended by international leaders, including Vice President J.D. Vance.

Chancellor Olaf Scholz has called for firm action against Noori, stressing that he should face punishment and deportation. However, had the authorities removed or detained him after his asylum claim was initially rejected, the attack could have been preempted.

show less
An Afghan bodybuilder has been arrested after a car was plowed into a crowd in Munich, Germany, injuring 36 people, with two, including a toddler, in critical condition. The incident occurred on Thursday morning when a Mini Cooper drove into a group of trade union strikers on Seidlstrasse. Authorities suspect the act may be linked to Islamist extremism, as revealed in a Friday morning police statement. show more
February 14, 2025
Jack Montgomery
War

Pentagon Pre-empts DOGE Cuts.

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is set to tackle the Pentagon’s massive budget. Defense officials report that DOGE members will arrive at the Defense Department as early as Friday, with the Pentagon already receiving a list of assigned DOGE officials. Anticipating DOGE’s scrutiny, some military branches are proactively proposing cuts.

The Army has identified outdated drones and surplus vehicles for elimination, potentially saving billions. Col. Dave Butler, an Army spokesman, emphasized, “We’re taking a proactive approach to making our spending more efficient. There are several systems that we know won’t survive on the modern battlefield.”

Meanwhile, according to sources familiar with the plans, the Navy is also considering cuts to frigates and littoral combat ships. The Air Force, however, declined to comment, though Musk has previously criticized the F-35 program, calling it a “flop” and its builders “idiots,” with lifetime costs projected to exceed $2 trillion.

The Defense Department’s budget, exceeding $800 billion and employing three million troops and civilians, presents DOGE’s most significant challenge yet. Historically, military branches proposed cuts to redirect funding to newer programs, but lawmakers—protecting local spending—have consistently blocked these efforts, leading to a growing Pentagon budget since 9/11. Dan Grazier of the Stimson Center has noted, “It was in the permissive post-9/11 environment that we saw a whole slew of ill-conceived weapons programs. Now we are seeing the results—failed program after failed program.”

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is positive about DOGE scrutinizing military spending, stating, “We welcome DOGE to the Pentagon.” However, opposition to cuts from both parties is expected. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), a DOGE supporter, predicted, “We have big [defense] spenders in both parties. I’m expecting all kinds of squealing as you’re trying to come back to some kind of prepandemic level spending.”

Image by Asten.

show less
The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), led by Elon Musk, is set to tackle the Pentagon's massive budget. Defense officials report that DOGE members will arrive at the Defense Department as early as Friday, with the Pentagon already receiving a list of assigned DOGE officials. Anticipating DOGE's scrutiny, some military branches are proactively proposing cuts. show more
February 14, 2025
News

Pope Francis Hospitalized With Bronchitis.

Pope Francis has been hospitalized in Rome for ongoing bronchitis treatment, the Vatican revealed on Friday. The 88-year-old pontiff, experiencing breathlessness, entered the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli Hospital following his morning meetings, according to a Vatican statement. He was initially diagnosed with bronchitis last Thursday.

This admission follows Pope Francis’ recent health challenges, including having a portion of a lung removed during his youth and recurrent acute bronchitis, especially in winter. His health issues have been exacerbated by reduced mobility in recent years due to knee and back pain, often necessitating the use of a cane or wheelchair. In past years, he underwent surgery for diverticulitis in 2021 and hernia repair in 2023.

Despite these health concerns, the Pope has maintained a busy schedule, continuing activities at Casa Santa Marta.

Pope Francis has led the 1.4 billion-member Catholic Church since 2013.

In recent statements, Pope Francis condemned the U.S. mass deportation of migrants, and called for peace in Ukraine.

show less
Pope Francis has been hospitalized in Rome for ongoing bronchitis treatment, the Vatican revealed on Friday. The 88-year-old pontiff, experiencing breathlessness, entered the Policlinico Agostino Gemelli Hospital following his morning meetings, according to a Vatican statement. He was initially diagnosed with bronchitis last Thursday. show more
Migrant Crime
February 13, 2025
Crime
Immigration

ICE Apprehends Illegal Immigrant Accused of Child Rape After Sanctuary State Ignored Detainer.

U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained Jose Fernando-Perez, 49, in Framingham, Massachusetts, after local law enforcement did not honor an immigration detainer issued over two years ago. Fernando-Perez is accused of six child rape offenses.

The detainer had initially been lodged by ICE in May 2022 after he was charged in Essex County, but the suspect was released on pre-trial conditions in October 2022. State and local sanctuary laws in Massachusetts have resulted in a number of high-profile instances where illegal alien criminals were released by local authorities before an ICE detainer could be executed, resulting in the illegals proceeding to commit new violent acts.

The stringent sanctuary laws within the state mean local law enforcement and courts are not compelled to cooperate with ICE directives. A 2017 state Supreme Court ruling emphasized preventing what had been called “anti-immigrant policies.”

Acting Field Office Director of ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) in Boston, Patricia H. Hyde, stated in a press release that Fernando-Perez represents the type of individual ICE is focusing on under its “worst first” policy, emphasizing the threat he posed to children in the community.

Democratic Governor Maura Healey previously stated that while Massachusetts is not officially a sanctuary state, officials must adhere to the law in immigration enforcement, especially regarding known criminals. The Democratic Attorney General, Andrea Joy Campbell, has stressed that the state will not condone any enforcement actions seen as illegal.

Fernando-Perez faces an upcoming Department of Justice immigration hearing and remains in ICE custody. Additionally, a jury trial for the charges, which include three counts of aggravated rape of a child and three counts of rape of a child by force, is scheduled for June 2, 2025.

show less
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers detained Jose Fernando-Perez, 49, in Framingham, Massachusetts, after local law enforcement did not honor an immigration detainer issued over two years ago. Fernando-Perez is accused of six child rape offenses. show more
February 13, 2025
William Upton
War
World

Secretary of State Rubio Expects Deal With Ukraine to Repay Aid With Rare Earth Minerals.

President Donald J. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says he expects a deal to be struck with Ukraine to repay American military and economic aid with rare earth minerals mined in the Eastern European country. The acquisition and securing of rare and valuable minerals—critical in the production of semiconductors and other advanced technology—is a top priority of the Trump administration. Additionally, President Trump’s recent overtures to purchase the Arctic island of Greenland partly stem from the U.S. interest in attaining a secure supply of the vital resource.

“Some of that money will go back to pay back the U.S. taxpayer for the billions of dollars that’s been spent there,” Sec. Rubio said in a radio interview on Thursday. The deal, being negotiated at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, could see Ukraine supply the U.S. with hundreds of billions of dollars worth of graphite, uranium, titanium, and lithium in exchange for future American military aid.

“I told [Ukraine] that I want the equivalent [of] like $500 billion worth of rare earth,” President Trump said in an interview aired on Fox News on Monday. Sec. Rubio is joined in Mnuchin by Trump’s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent. The two cabinet officials have led ongoing talks with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, the latter indicating he hopes to finalize an agreement in Munich this week.

Ukraine currently has access to at least 22 of the 50 rare earth minerals considered critical to the American economy and military by the U.S. government. A deal with Ukraine would allow the U.S. to reduce the import of these critical resources from China, currently the world’s largest supplier of rare earth minerals.

show less
President Donald J. Trump's Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, says he expects a deal to be struck with Ukraine to repay American military and economic aid with rare earth minerals mined in the Eastern European country. The acquisition and securing of rare and valuable minerals—critical in the production of semiconductors and other advanced technology—is a top priority of the Trump administration. Additionally, President Trump's recent overtures to purchase the Arctic island of Greenland partly stem from the U.S. interest in attaining a secure supply of the vital resource. show more
February 13, 2025
Lawfare

Judge Halts Trump’s Executive Order Restricting Federal Funding of Sex Changes for Minors.

A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald J. Trump’s executive order restricting federal funding of sex change surgeries and other gender transition procedures for those under the age of 19. U.S. District Court Judge Brendan A. Hurson issued the order late Thursday afternoon at the request of six transgender youths aged 12 to 18, their parents, and advocacy groups who are suing to repeal Trump’s directive.

The ruling is a temporary measure and does not represent a conclusive judgment on the legal arguments but it is a hindrance for Trump’s administration. This legal obstacle adds to another earlier this month when a federal judge opposed Trump’s directive to restrict gender-transition treatments for federal prisoners and to house transgender women inmates with men in facilities. Judge Hurson was appointed to the District Court by former President Joe Biden.

Residents of Maryland, New York, and Massachusetts, the plaintiffs assert that two specific executive orders from Trump imperil their access to supposedly necessary gender transition treatments, announced following his inauguration last month. One order instructs federal agencies to withhold grant funding for research or education that supports what the Trump administration labels as “gender ideology,” challenging the notion that individuals can identify with a gender different from their sex assigned at birth. The second order demands that agencies bar federal funds for medical practitioners offering puberty blockers, hormone therapies, and surgeries to those under 19 for gender transition purposes.

Following Trump’s directive, several clinics reportedly canceled appointments. The plaintiffs reference a White House news release indicating the order’s success, with announcements from various hospitals cited as evidence of their claims.

Image by Oriel Frankie Ashcroft.

show less
A federal judge issued a temporary restraining order blocking President Donald J. Trump's executive order restricting federal funding of sex change surgeries and other gender transition procedures for those under the age of 19. U.S. District Court Judge Brendan A. Hurson issued the order late Thursday afternoon at the request of six transgender youths aged 12 to 18, their parents, and advocacy groups who are suing to repeal Trump's directive. show more
February 13, 2025
News

CPAC Chairman Matt Schlapp Accused of Sexually Assaulting a Man in a Bar.

Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU), is facing accusations of sexual assault shortly before the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) convention in Washington, D.C. The allegations, initially shared by journalist Yashar Ali, detail an incident at a bar in Virginia where Schlapp allegedly behaved inappropriately with several male patrons.

The incident reportedly took place on a Saturday night, less than two weeks before the 2025 CPAC event, which attracts numerous conservative figures to the nation’s capital. Witnesses allege Schlapp followed and stood uncomfortably close to various groups of men at the establishment, making his presence unsettling. One individual recounted feeling uneasy as Schlapp persistently remained nearby.

According to the report, the man’s partner confronted Schlapp before an alleged escalation of the situation. The accused reportedly touched the man’s genitals while maintaining eye contact, prompting his removal from the premises by staff. Schlapp, who is married to Mercedes Schalpp, allegedly returned later, engaging in a verbal altercation.

The CPAC organization has not yet commented on the allegations. However, Schlapp has faced previous allegations of sexual misconduct involving males. In 2023, Carlton Huffman, a former staffer for Herschel Walker, accused Schlapp of groping him, leading to a lawsuit demanding $9 million for battery and defamation. An investigation by CNN found Huffman received a $480,000 settlement via insurance.

In 2023, a ‘Do Not Invite’ list for CPAC leaked, indicating that Schlapp was attempting to blackball members of President Donald J. Trump’s family and America First Members of Congress.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

show less
Matt Schlapp, Chairman of the American Conservative Union (ACU), is facing accusations of sexual assault shortly before the annual Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC) convention in Washington, D.C. The allegations, initially shared by journalist Yashar Ali, detail an incident at a bar in Virginia where Schlapp allegedly behaved inappropriately with several male patrons. show more
February 13, 2025
News

White House Ousts Top Federal Prosecutors in DOJ, FBI Shakeup.

The White House dismissed several U.S. Attorneys on Wednesday evening. Until their dismissal following his November election, Trump was a defendant in two federal cases. The scope of the terminations remains uncertain, with no specific figure from the Justice Department as of the time of publication. The U.S. has 93 federal court districts that may be affected. Among those affected are at least two court-appointed attorneys, including a prosecutor involved in January 6 cases.

Tara McGrath, U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of California, learned of her dismissal through a White House communication, her office stated. Other departures include Erek L. Barron of Maryland and Dena J. King of the Western District of North Carolina, both confirming their exit without details. McGrath, Barron, and King were Senate-confirmed Joe Biden nominees.

Tessa Gorman, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Washington, was also removed. Gorman, initially an acting official, was appointed by former Attorney General Merrick Garland, before being officially approved by judges in May 2024.

Trent Morse, deputy director of the Office of Presidential Personnel, stated, “At the direction of President Donald J. Trump, I am writing to inform you that your position as U.S. Attorney is terminated, effective immediately.”

The direct involvement of the White House in these actions is atypical; it usually falls to the Justice Department to ask for the resignations of prosecutors appointed by previous administrations.

Following Trump’s inauguration, he issued pardons for January 6 defendants and appointed an advocate for them as interim U.S. Attorney for Washington, D.C., prompting scrutiny of Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) employees involved in related investigations.

show less
The White House dismissed several U.S. Attorneys on Wednesday evening. Until their dismissal following his November election, Trump was a defendant in two federal cases. The scope of the terminations remains uncertain, with no specific figure from the Justice Department as of the time of publication. The U.S. has 93 federal court districts that may be affected. Among those affected are at least two court-appointed attorneys, including a prosecutor involved in January 6 cases. show more
February 13, 2025
William Upton
Corruption
Immigration

Report: HHS Went on $22.6 Billion Taxpayer Dollar Migrant Spending Spree Under Biden.

The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spent $22.6 billion in taxpayer dollars through federal grants that provided financial assistance to illegal immigrants from 2020 through 2024 under former President Joe Biden. According to a watchdog report issued by Open the Books, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) grants were used to provide cash assistance for illegal immigrants to purchase vehicles and start small businesses.

According to the Open the Books report, ORR dramatically expanded access to federal grants for noncitizens and illegal immigrants—accelerating the agency’s spending even further in the final year of Joe Biden’s only term as president. The report indicates that ORR issued over $10 billion in grants to non-governmental organizations (NGOs) in 2023 alone.

Grant money disbursed by the HHS subagency was used to aid illegal immigrants in purchasing vehicles, homes, college educations, starting small businesses, and repairing credit history. Some of the small business loans made available totaled $15,000 per applicant.

A total of $12.4 billion was earmarked for assistance provided for illegal immigrant minors, with a five-year funding obligation. Consequently, the ORR came under intense scrutiny during Biden’s term in office as part of an Inspector General investigation that revealed policy lapses resulted in the agency being unable to determine the location of over 32,000 illegal immigrant minors across the United States.

Meanwhile, Church World Services and the International Rescue Committee (IRC) were the top two NGOs receiving HHS grant funding. The National Pulse has previously reported that the George Soros-linked IRC is a gargantuan, globalist NGO boasting a total 2021 budget of over $1 billion. David Miliband, former British Foreign Minister, member of the Labour Party, and oft-speculated future Prime Minister, currently serves as its president.

show less
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) spent $22.6 billion in taxpayer dollars through federal grants that provided financial assistance to illegal immigrants from 2020 through 2024 under former President Joe Biden. According to a watchdog report issued by Open the Books, Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR) grants were used to provide cash assistance for illegal immigrants to purchase vehicles and start small businesses. show more