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Tuesday, January 13, 2026

Category: News
January 9, 2026
News
Politics

MTG Was Referred to Secret Service After CCP-Linked Leftists Crashed Trump’s Dinner, Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: White House officials suspect former Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) tipped off far-left agitators who crashed President Donald J. Trump’s dinner at a D.C. restaurant about his plans, referring her to the United States Secret Service.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, former Rep. Greene, Code Pink protesters, and White House staffers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Last September, at Joe’s Seafood in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Anyone saying this is true is absolutely lying!!!” – Marjorie Taylor Greene

🎯IMPACT: The incident has intensified tensions between Trump and Greene, fueling existing intra-party disputes.

IN FULL

White House officials believe former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) may have alerted leftist activists linked to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) about President Donald J. Trump’s dinner plans last September, after protesters confronted the President at a Washington, D.C., restaurant he was visiting. The incident took place at Joe’s Seafood, a restaurant Greene had personally recommended to Trump, and White House staffers referred her to the Secret Service following the incident.

During the meal, activists affiliated with Code Pink came close to the President and heckled him, shouting, “Free DC.! Free Palestine! Trump is the Hitler of our time!” Aides later described the scene as embarrassing and deeply troubling from a security standpoint.

Greene allegedly contacted White House staff repeatedly on the day of the dinner to confirm Trump’s plans, and Trump himself is said to have called Greene shortly before leaving the White House to confirm he was going to Joe’s Seafood. Although Greene was known to frequent the restaurant, she did not attend the dinner, something aides found unusual.

Greene and Code Pink co-founder Medea Benjamin share opposition to U.S. military aid to Ukraine and Israel. Benjamin has publicly praised Greene in the past for opposing Trump’s striking of Iranian nuclear sites, and she met the former Georgia lawmaker along with other Code Pink activists shortly before she left Congress.

Greene has forcefully denied the accusations, insisting that she did not know Trump’s exact dinner plans. “Code Pink was in the restaurant because the WH and Secret Service did NOT sweep Joe’s, did NOT set up metal detectors and check everyone in the restaurant, and did not do any of their normal security protocols that they do at every public event he attends!!! Only the WH set up President Trump’s reservation at Joe’s, NOT ME!! I had ZERO knowledge of when his reservation was!” she wrote in a long X (formerly Twitter) post, characterizing claims that she leaked the dinner plans as “a dangerous false accusation against me that is 100% false… Anyone saying this is true is absolutely lying!!!”

Greene also denied having Medea Benjamin’s telephone number, insisting, “[I] do not have any contact with her. She used to stop by my office as she stops by every office on Capitol hill.”

The incident has further strained the relationship between Trump and Greene, who was once one of his allies in Congress. In November, Trump commented on their falling out, saying, “Yeah, so I don’t know what happened to Marjorie. She’s a nice woman, but I don’t know what happened. She’s lost her way, I think.”

Greene has also drawn attention for threatening to expose what she called “all Congress’s dirty laundry.” More recently, she criticized Trump after he referred to her as a “traitor,” claiming that such language put her personal safety at risk.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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January 9, 2026
Crime
Immigration
News

Border Patrol Shoots Alleged Tren de Aragua Associates Who ‘Weaponized Their Vehicle.’

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Two illegal immigrants were shot in Portland, Oregon, during an incident involving Border Patrol agents.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The driver, Luis David Nico Moncada, and passenger, Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras, were identified as suspected associates of the Tren de Aragua gang.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The shooting took place in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday afternoon, around 2:15 PM local time.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The driver weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland, prompting the CBP agent to take immediate action to defend himself and others.” – Department of Homeland Security

🎯IMPACT: Both migrants were hospitalized; the incident has drawn attention to the dangers presented to federal law enforcement by vehicular attacks.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has announced on X that two illegal immigrants were shot in Portland, Oregon, on Thursday. The migrants are suspected associates of the notorious transnational Tren de Aragua gang. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) is investigating the incident, which took place around 2:15 PM local time and involved Border Patrol agents.

“Yesterday, two suspected Tren de Aragua gang associates—let loose on American streets by Joe Biden—weaponized their vehicle against Border Patrol in Portland. The agent took immediate action to defend himself and others, shooting them,” DHS announced.

According to DHS, the suspects were identified as driver Luis David Nico Moncada and passenger Yorlenys Betzabeth Zambrano-Contreras. DHS described both as “criminal illegal alien[s] from Venezuela”, with Moncada having entered the U.S. illegally in 2022 and Contreras in 2023. The agency highlighted Moncada’s prior arrests for DUI and unauthorized use of a vehicle, while noting “Contreras played an active role in a Tren de Aragua prostitution ring and was involved with a prior shooting in Portland.”

The incident follows on the heels of the shooting of Renee Good in Minneapolis. Good and her same-sex partner had been obstructing and taunting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in the Minnesota city, with Good driving at and striking one officer in an attempted getaway as they sought to detain her, causing her to be shot. The officer involved was previously dragged and injured by a car driven by a migrant pedophile attempting to evade arrest.

There has been a 1,300 percent increase in vehicular attacks against ICE since 2024, driven in part by senior Democrats such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz inflaming migrants and far-left agitators by comparing the federal law enforcement agency to Adolf Hitler’s “Gestapo.”

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January 9, 2026
William Upton
Corruption
Crime

Trump Treasury Unleashes Financial Crimes Division on Minnesota.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Friday that he has ordered the department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to begin a geographic targeting operation for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, applying extra scrutiny to all businesses engaging in overseas money transfers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, FinCEN officials, the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community, and Governor Tim Walz (D).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Friday, January 9, 2026.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “This will put a microscope on these businesses, advance prosecutions, and assist in the recovery of funds laundered internationally.” — Scott Bessent

🎯IMPACT: The Treasury Department order will require wire transfer businesses and banks to submit additional information to FinCEN on money transfers before the transactions will be allowed to process.

IN FULL

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced on Friday that he has ordered the department’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) to begin a geographic targeting operation for the Minneapolis-St. Paul area, applying extra scrutiny to all businesses engaging in overseas money transfers. The order will require wire transfer businesses and banks to submit additional information to FinCEN on money transfers before the transactions will be allowed to process.

“This will put a microscope on these businesses, advance prosecutions and assist in the recovery of funds laundered internationally,” Sec. Bessent said at a press conference announcing the new financial monitoring measures on Friday. He added, “Under Democratic Governor Tim Walz, welfare fraud has spiraled out of control. Billions of dollars intended for feeding hungry children, housing disabled seniors, and providing services for children in need were diverted to benefit Somali fraud rings.”


According to the Treasury Department, the geographic targeting order will “require banks and money transmitters located in Hennepin and Ramsey Counties, which include Minneapolis and St. Paul, to report additional information about funds transferred outside of the United States. These businesses will be required to file reports with FinCEN above certain transactions of $3,000 or more where the beneficiary is located outside of the United States.”

The Treasury Department contends the order will provide federal law enforcement with greater insight into the individuals overseas receiving money transfers, and help “advance prosecutions and assist in the recovery of funds laundered internationally.” As part of the operation, the department has notified four money transfer businesses that they are under investigation for suspicious financial activity.

In addition to the FinCEN geographic targeting order, Sec. Bessent announced that the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will soon launch a task force charged with investigating instances of COVID-19 pandemic relief fraud and violations of 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by nonprofits tied to the numerous Somali community-linked social services fraud schemes.

Bessent added that FinCEN is already on the ground in Minnesota and will also provide training to federal, state, and local law enforcement on how to utilize Treasury Department tools, such as Suspicious Activity Reports, to combat fraud. “We will not let the incompetence and recalcitrance of Governor Walz stop law enforcement from holding these perpetrators accountable,” Bessent said.

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January 9, 2026
Crime
Immigration

DHS Surges 100 Additional CBP Agents Into Minnesota.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is deploying 100 additional U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to Minnesota for the weekend.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: DHS, CBP agents, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, and Renee Nicole Good, an anti-ICE activist fatally shot after attempting to run over federal agents.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Minnesota over the coming weekend, with agents traveling from Chicago and New Orleans.

🎯IMPACT: DHS is pausing operations in Chicago to support the Minnesota deployment amid increasing tensions and violent anti-ICE protests.

IN FULL

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is ordering the deployment of at least 100 more U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) agents to Minnesota for the coming weekend. According to the DHS orders, the additional agents deployed to Minnesota will be primarily drawn from Chicago and New Orleans. Additionally, DHS plans to temporarily pause operations in Chicago to support this effort.

Notably, the ramp-up in CBP personnel comes after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent fatally shot anti-ICE activist Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday when she attempted to use her vehicle to run over the officer. The deployment, according to DHS documents, will last through the weekend. On Sunday, the agents will return to their respective cities of operation.

DHS officials, including ICE and CBP agents, have been operating in Minnesota for weeks as part of a major immigration enforcement operation and investigation into widespread social services fraud allegations tied to the state’s Somali immigrant community. Federal prosecutors have estimated that upwards of $9 billion in taxpayer dollars may have been stolen through several criminal schemes.

Far-left activists violently assaulted federal immigration officers in Minneapolis on Thursday. The violent demonstration took place outside the Whipple Building in Minneapolis, where hundreds gathered to protest the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations and Good’s shooting. In another incident, an anti-ICE agitator in Minneapolis, Minnesota, was caught on video obstructing and attacking Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino before being detained by federal agents.

The National Pulse reported late Thursday that Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) called up the state’s National Guard troops to assist local law enforcement as clashes between violent leftists and federal law enforcement continued into the evening.

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January 9, 2026
War
World

Venezuela Following Instructions to Release Political Prisoners, Trump Confirms.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Venezuela released a number of imprisoned opposition figures, activists, and journalists as a gesture to “seek peace.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Acting President Delcy Rodríguez, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, opposition leaders, and human rights activists.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Thursday, in Guatire, Venezuela, and other locations across the country.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “They’ve been great… Everything we’ve wanted, they’ve given us.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The move was seen as a potential step toward dialogue and transition toward a free and open democracy in Venezuela.

IN FULL

The interim Venezuelan government released a number of high-profile opposition leaders, activists, and journalists from its prisons on Thursday. Venezuelan officials are characterizing the move as a gesture to “seek peace,” after the country’s former Marxist dictator, Nicolás Maduro, was captured earlier this month by U.S. forces and now faces narco-terrorism charges in New York.

Late Thursday, President Donald J. Trump revealed that the prisoner release came at the urging of the United States. “They’ve been great… Everything we’ve wanted, they’ve given us,” Trump said regarding Venezuela’s interim government led by acting President Delcy RodrĂ­guez. Notably, Jorge RodrĂ­guez, the brother of the acting president, stated that a “significant number” of people would be freed, though the exact number remained unclear as of Friday.

Among the prisoners whose release has been confirmed are Biagio Pilieri, an opposition leader linked to Nobel Peace Prize winner MarĂ­a Corina Machado’s 2024 presidential campaign, and Enrique Márquez, a former electoral authority and candidate in the 2024 election. Videos posted on social media showed emotional reunions, with relatives chanting “Libertad!” outside prisons.

In addition, the Spanish government confirmed the release of five of its citizens, including dual national and human rights activist Rocío San Miguel. Spanish Foreign Minister José Manuel Albares identified others released as Andrés Martínez, José María Basoa, Ernesto Gorbe, and Miguel Moreno. Some had been detained on accusations of espionage or visa violations.

President Trump affirmed his administration’s commitment to maintaining a role in Venezuela’s future, including its oil resources, and hinted at a possible meeting with opposition leader MarĂ­a Corina Machado next week.

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January 9, 2026
NatSec
War

U.S. Ready to Start Hitting Mexican Cartels on Land: Trump.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump suggested the U.S. military could begin land strikes on drug cartels in Mexico.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, and Fox News host Sean Hannity.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Comments aired on January 8, 2026, during an interview with Sean Hannity.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “We’ve knocked out 97 percent of the drugs coming in by water. And we are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The remarks signal a potential escalation in U.S. military operations targeting drug cartels in Mexico.

IN FULL

During an interview with Fox News host Sean Hannity late Thursday, President Donald J. Trump stated that the military could begin land strikes on drug cartels in Mexico. “We’ve knocked out 97 percent of the drugs coming in by water. And we are going to start now hitting land, with regard to the cartels,” Trump shared during the segment.

“The cartels are running Mexico, it’s very sad to watch and see what’s happened to that country,” President Trump remarked, expressing concern that the cartel influence over Mexican government institutions poses a potential threat to the United States. The National Pulse reported last December that Mexico’s Sinaloa Cartel is using teenagers to carry out targeted assassinations in the United States.

Meanwhile, in October, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) revealed it had received credible intelligence that Mexican drug cartels were offering bounties to and communicating with left-wing, criminal U.S. domestic extremists to target and attack U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers in Chicago, Illinois.

The comments come shortly after U.S. forces conducted a high-profile strike in Venezuela, capturing the nation’s Marxist dictator, Nicolás Maduro, and his wife, Celia Flores. Additionally, the Trump administration has issued warnings of potential military actions in other countries involved in narcotics trafficking, including Cuba and Colombia, over the past week.

Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum has not yet issued a public response to Trump’s remarks.

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January 9, 2026
Economy
News
World

Trump, Oil CEOs Meet to Discuss Return to Venezuela.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump is meeting with Big Oil executives to discuss a potential return to Venezuela for U.S. energy companies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Energy Secretary Chris Wright, American Petroleum Institute CEO Mike Summers, and top oil executives.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The meeting is scheduled for Friday at the White House.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “There are gonna be parameters that have to be put in place before there’s a significant investment in Venezuela.” – Mike Summers

🎯IMPACT: The oil industry’s return to Venezuela will likely depend on political stability, financial guarantees, and the repeal of sanctions.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is scheduled to host a meeting with senior executives from major U.S. oil companies on Friday at the White House. The gathering is aimed at encouraging American energy firms to invest in and help revive Venezuela‘s oil sector, following the recent U.S. military action that led to the capture of Marxist dictator Nicolás Maduro.

Venezuela possesses some of the world’s largest proven oil reserves; however, its energy industry has suffered significantly from prolonged economic mismanagement, political instability, and infrastructure decay under previous socialist governance. Oil industry leaders remain cautious about pouring billions into repairs and expansion. Mike Summers, CEO of the American Petroleum Institute, stated, “There are gonna be parameters that have to be put in place before there’s a significant investment in Venezuela.” Key worries include unreliable rule of law, potential security threats, and an unpredictable political landscape.

Energy Secretary Chris Wright has recognized these obstacles, saying, “To make the very big, long-term investments, we’ve got to get the government in a better place where they’ve got secure rule of law, national security, and that’s a process.” Executives have sought more concrete assurances from the administration regarding safety and long-term stability, but responses so far have fallen short.

The Trump administration has indicated it may ease certain sanctions to make it easier for U.S. firms to re-engage in Venezuela. Still, the country’s existing regulations—such as steep taxes, mandatory joint ventures with the state, and other restrictive terms—pose major barriers. “Venezuela has a very unfavorable fiscal regime—why would you go to a place like that?” said Luisa Palacios, the former Citgo chairwoman.

Industry observers note that, provided conditions improve significantly, Venezuela’s enormous reserves could draw substantial attention and capital from U.S. companies. Critical elements for success would include favorable fiscal arrangements, protective financial mechanisms, and sustained political security. “Fiscal terms, backstops and guarantees will all matter very much,” said Dan Pickering of Pickering Energy Partners.

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January 8, 2026
Crime
News

State Auditor Uncovers MILLIONS in Overpayments by Daycare Oversight Agency.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: An audit of Washington State’s $770 million child care subsidy program uncovered millions of dollars in overpayments, sparking concerns about fraud and accountability.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Emily Randall (D-WA), State Auditor’s Office, Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), independent journalists, and Washington Attorney General Nick Brown (D).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The audit covers payments made between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025, in Washington State.

🎯IMPACT: The findings have raised concerns about transparency, accountability, and the potential misuse of taxpayer funds in government programs.

IN FULL

Independent journalists and government watchdogs are raising concerns about potential misuse of public funds in Washington State’s $770 million child care subsidy program following findings by the State Auditor’s Office that identified more than $2 million in overpayments. According to the audit, $2,092,513 in improper payments were made across 1,372 cases between July 1, 2024, and June 30, 2025. The overpayments were largely tied to missing attendance records and providers billing for more hours or days than children were present.

The program is overseen by the Department of Children, Youth and Families (DCYF), which has come under increased scrutiny as independent investigators and journalists reported alleged “ghost daycares” and inconsistencies between state records and on-the-ground observations. Critics argue the findings point to weak internal controls and insufficient oversight, particularly given the scale and speed at which funds are distributed.

The Office of Fraud and Accountability reported limited enforcement outcomes during the same period, noting just one criminal conviction related to fraud in fiscal year 2025. The controversy is unfolding amid heightened national attention on childcare fraud. Federal authorities recently halted billions of dollars in funding to several Democratic-led states amid allegations of widespread abuse in childcare subsidy programs.

In Minnesota, the FBI is investigating daycare centers linked to a broader fraud probe, and at least one daycare connected to the scandal has closed following public scrutiny.

Despite the Washington audit findings, Attorney General Nick Brown (D) dismissed claims of widespread fraud, calling the allegations “baseless.” Brown criticized independent journalists investigating the issue, labeling them “vigilantes” and “racist,” and said the fraud claims had been “debunked.” He also argued the controversy was being fueled by national political figures rather than evidence.

Seattle Mayor Katie Wilson (D) echoed that stance, referring to the journalists and activists raising concerns as “extremist influencers.”

The issue escalated further during a congressional hearing when Rep. Emily Randall (D-WA) drew backlash for remarks suggesting taxpayers should pay less attention to fraud allegations and instead focus scrutiny on U.S. citizens, particularly “white men.”

Image by Tiffany Von Arnim.

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January 8, 2026
Corruption
News
World

Trump Admin Halts Aid to Somalia Amid Accusations of Theft and Fraud.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. halted food aid to Somalia following reports of theft and destruction of aid resources.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. State Department officials and Somali leaders.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on January 8, 2026, concerning Somalia.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance.” – State Department.

🎯IMPACT: Future aid is contingent on Somali government accountability and resolution of the theft issues.

IN FULL

The United States has suspended all assistance to Somalia’s government, the State Department has announced, amid allegations that Somali officials destroyed a U.S.-funded World Food Programme warehouse and unlawfully seized 76 metric tons of donor-provided food intended for people in need. “The Trump Administration has a zero-tolerance policy for waste, theft, and diversion of life-saving assistance,” the department said in a statement on social media. “Any resumption of assistance will be dependent upon the Somali Federal Government, taking accountability for its unacceptable actions and taking appropriate remedial steps.”

Somali authorities have not publicly responded to the allegations. The aid suspension affects ongoing programs that directly benefit the Somali government; however, the total scope of suspended aid remains unclear amid overall reductions in U.S. foreign aid.

Somalia, located in the Horn of Africa, has endured decades of civil conflict, recurring droughts, and corrupt, fragile governance, making international support crucial for basic services and humanitarian relief. The warehouse at the Mogadishu port was reportedly demolished without prior coordination with international donors, including the United States.

The decision to halt assistance comes against a backdrop of heightened scrutiny of Somalis in the United States, especially in Minnesota. Federal and state law enforcement agencies have been investigating and prosecuting widespread fraud involving public assistance programs, many of which involved Somalis. Authorities have described sprawling fraud schemes affecting welfare, medical, and housing programs, and pandemic relief funds.

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January 8, 2026
Corruption
News

This Bill Bars Somali Officials From Accessing U.S. Funding.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced a bill aimed at preventing taxpayer funds from being accessed by entities controlled by agents of nations covered by President Donald J. Trump’s travel ban, including Somalia.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Jim Banks, Somali officials, and U.S. taxpayers affected by fraud schemes.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The bill was introduced on Thursday, following revelations of fraud in Minnesota and Ohio.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Somali fraud scandal has revealed how broken the system is. Foreign officials were able to take advantage of American taxpayers. This bill stops it and puts Americans first.” – Sen. Jim Banks

🎯IMPACT: The bill seeks to block taxpayer funding from being exploited by foreign agents tied to unreliable or hostile governments.

IN FULL

Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) has introduced legislation to prevent foreign officials tied to high-risk countries from exploiting U.S. taxpayer funds, following a series of fraud cases linked to Somali government figures and Somali-run organizations operating in the United States. The proposal, titled the “No Funding for Foreign Agents Act,” would bar entities owned or controlled by agents of countries covered by President Donald J. Trump’s travel ban, including Somalia, from receiving federal grants, contracts, or other forms of taxpayer-funded assistance.

The restrictions would apply to individuals registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act (FARA), as well as diplomats and lobbyists representing those governments. Banks said the legislation was prompted by revelations that senior Somali officials have held ownership stakes in, or operated, U.S.-based organizations funded by American taxpayers that were later implicated in fraudulent schemes. “The Somali fraud scandal has revealed how broken the system is,” Banks said. “Foreign officials were able to take advantage of American taxpayers. This bill stops it and puts Americans first.”

Federal and state investigations have focused heavily on Minnesota, which hosts the largest Somali community in the U.S. Prosecutors say large-scale fraud has occurred across multiple public assistance programs in the state, and authorities estimate that Somali-linked fraud could exceed $9 billion once all affected programs are fully reviewed. The schemes have involved Medicaid, pandemic-era nutrition programs, and COVID relief loans, among others.

Attorney General Pam Bondi recently confirmed that 85 suspects of Somali descent have been charged in Minnesota fraud cases, with approximately 60 convictions to date. Some of the cases have drawn scrutiny because of alleged connections between U.S.-based organizations and Somali political figures, including Abukar Dahir Osman, Somalia’s permanent representative to the United Nations, who has been linked to entities implicated in fraud.

Banks’s bill was introduced as Vice President J.D. Vance announced the creation of a new Assistant Attorney General position under Bondi to focus specifically on fraud investigations and prosecutions.

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