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Category: News
August 28, 2025
Crime
News

Georgia Mayor Convicted in Vehicular Homicide Case.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A west Georgia mayor, A.J. Scott, was found guilty of vehicular homicide and other charges related to a 2015 crash that killed two teenagers and injured two others.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: A.J. Scott, Mayor of Buchanan and former state trooper; victims Kylie Lindsey, Isabella Chinchilla, Dillon Wall, and Ben Finken.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crash occurred in 2015 in west Georgia. The verdict was reached on Wednesday during a retrial in Carroll County following a 2019 mistrial.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’ve lost our daughters and we’ve just hung onto the hope that we would get a ‘guilty’ out of this and we did, and justice prevailed for us,” said Leslie Woods, mother of Isabella Chinchilla.

🎯IMPACT: Scott was taken into custody immediately after the verdict and will be sentenced at a later date. Questions remain about his future as the Mayor of Buchanan.

IN FULL

A.J. Scott, the current mayor of Buchanan, Georgia, has been found guilty of vehicular homicide and several other charges stemming from a 2015 crash that claimed the lives of two teenagers and injured two others. The verdict came during a retrial held in Carroll County, where Scott was convicted of one count of second-degree vehicular homicide, two counts of serious injury by vehicle, speeding, and reckless driving. He was acquitted of a second count of vehicular homicide.

The crash, which occurred while Scott was a Georgia state trooper, involved a Nissan Altima carrying four teenagers. Kylie Lindsey, 17, and Isabella Chinchilla, 16, were killed, while Dillon Wall and Ben Finken, who were in the front seats, sustained injuries. Prosecutors argued Scott was driving at approximately 90 mph without activating his lights or sirens and was not responding to an emergency call at the time of the collision.

Scott, who was elected Mayor of Buchanan in 2019 and has since been reelected, was taken into custody immediately following the verdict and transported to the Carroll County Jail. His sentencing will take place at a later date. The case was retried after a mistrial was declared in 2019 due to allegations that the district attorney’s office withheld evidence.

Leslie Woods, the mother of Isabella Chinchilla, expressed relief following the verdict, stating, “We’ve lost our daughters and we’ve just hung onto the hope that we would get a ‘guilty’ out of this and we did, and justice prevailed for us.”

Scott testified during the trial, claiming he was on his way to pick up a body-worn radio from another officer when the crash occurred. Defense attorneys argued that the teenagers had been drinking, which contributed to the incident. However, jurors ultimately sided with the prosecution’s narrative, which emphasized Scott’s speeding and reckless driving as the primary causes of the crash.

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August 28, 2025
News
Politics

Trump Wants Early GOP Convention Ahead of Midterms.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced he is considering holding a Republican National Convention ahead of the midterm elections.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, the Republican Party, and Democrat state leaders, including Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and Governor Kathy Hochul (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Truth Social on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I am thinking of recommending a National Convention to the Republican Party, just prior to the Midterms. It has never been done before. STAY TUNED!” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The announcement adds to the ongoing political battles over redistricting and crime policy ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump suggested on Thursday that a Republican National Convention should be held ahead of the 2026 midterm elections, an unprecedented move that could reshape the GOP’s campaign strategy. Writing on Truth Social, Trump said, “We won every aspect of the Presidential Election and, based on the great success we are having, are poised to WIN BIG IN THE MIDTERMS. In that light, I am thinking of recommending a National Convention to the Republican Party, just prior to the Midterms. It has never been done before. STAY TUNED!”

The announcement comes as redistricting battles intensify nationwide. Texas recently approved a new congressional map that cuts five Democrat-leaning seats, while California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) is reportedly backing a proposal to eliminate five Republican seats. In New York, Governor Kathy Hochul (D) has also promised aggressive redistricting to benefit Democrats.

Crime is expected to be a key issue in 2026, with Trump reiterating his law-and-order messaging. “The Republicans are the party that wants to stop crime,” he said, adding, “The Democrats like crime.”

Midterm elections have historically been difficult for the party in power. In 2018, Republicans lost tens of House seats and control of the chamber, although they gained slightly in the Senate. With control of Congress at stake in 2026, both parties are preparing for a heated campaign season.

However, Democrats also face mounting internal challenges. A July 2025 Marist/NPR/PBS poll found that just 27 percent of Americans approve of Democratic leaders in Congress, while 58 percent disapprove. Even among Democrats, support is soft, with only 44 percent voicing approval.

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August 28, 2025
Immigration

Trump Directs ICE to Intensify Operations in These Five Sanctuary Cities:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration announced plans to intensify immigration enforcement in five major U.S. cities, including Chicago, with federal officials considering a naval base as an operations hub.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: White House Border Czar Tom Homan, President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D).

📍WHEN & WHERE: August 28, 2025; cities include Chicago, New York, Los Angeles, Portland, and Seattle.

💬KEY QUOTE: “All these sanctuary cities… refuse to work with ICE,” said Tom Homan.

🎯IMPACT: The move could expand ICE operations and potentially increase federal intervention in sanctuary cities.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has announced an effort to ramp up immigration enforcement in five major U.S. cities, including Chicago. Federal officials are reportedly considering utilizing a Lake Michigan naval base as an operations hub for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.

White House Border Czar Tom Homan, speaking to reporters on Thursday, stated that a “large contingent” of ICE agents would be deployed to sanctuary jurisdictions that continue to undermine federal immigration laws. Cities targeted include New York, Los Angeles, Portland, Seattle, and Chicago.

President Donald J. Trump has also criticized Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker (D) for violent crime in Chicago, suggesting that the city’s leadership has failed to protect its residents. Trump reiterated the federal government’s readiness to intervene if necessary.

“Governor Pritzker had 6 murders in Chicago this weekend. 20 people were shot. But he doesn’t want to ask me for help. Can this be possible?” Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He added: “The people are desperate for me to STOP THE CRIME, something the Democrats aren’t capable of doing. STAY TUNED!!!”

Homan confirmed ongoing discussions about expanding ICE’s presence near Chicago, emphasizing the administration’s stance against sanctuary city policies. “All these sanctuary cities… refuse to work with ICE,” Homan said.

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August 28, 2025
Culture
News

Cracker Barrel Removes Pride Page After Logo Climbdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Cracker Barrel has removed its Pride page from its website following backlash over woke rebranding efforts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Cracker Barrel, conservative activists, and anti-DEI advocate Robby Starbuck.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Recent updates on Cracker Barrel’s website and statements on social media.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Cracker Barrel worked with the far-left HRC [Human Rights Campaign] organization and reportedly sponsored HRC events for 10 years.” – Robby Starbuck

🎯IMPACT: The company faces ongoing scrutiny and has already reversed some unpopular branding decisions to mitigate public backlash.

IN FULL

Cracker Barrel has removed its Pride-themed page from its website following growing criticism of its recent rebranding efforts. The page, which previously featured the slogan “bringing the porch to Pride,” now redirects users to a general “Culture and Belonging” section.

The updated page states, “At Cracker Barrel, welcoming people has always been at the heart of who we are. When we take care of one another, we are able to take even better care of the people who walk through our doors.”

The move comes as the company faces pushback over its branding strategy, including a short-lived attempt to introduce a modernist logo in place of its traditional imagery. The redesign faced swift backlash from both sides of the political aisle, prompting the company to reverse course.

“We thank our guests for sharing your voices and love for Cracker Barrel. We said we would listen, and we have. Our new logo is going away and our ‘Old Timer’ will remain,” the company posted on X, referring to the white man leaning on a barrel that the new logo had erased. “At Cracker Barrel, it’s always been—and always will be—about serving up delicious food, warm welcomes, and the kind of country hospitality that feels like family.”

Conservative voices online have criticized Cracker Barrel’s promotion of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) activism, highlighting its past support of LGBT causes. Activist Robby Starbuck accused the company of aligning with the Human Rights Campaign (HRC) and hosting transgender and pronoun training at its Tennessee headquarters.

“Cracker Barrel worked with the far-left HRC organization and reportedly sponsored HRC events for 10 years,” Starbuck wrote on X. “They even brought an HRC representative to their Tennessee HQ to do a pronoun and transgenderism training.”

Cracker Barrel denied ongoing involvement with the HRC, saying it “has not participated in the Human Rights Campaign Index or had any affiliation with HRC in several years.”

The backlash mirrors similar responses to other brands that have adopted woke messaging. For instance, Jaguar saw a dramatic drop in sales after a rebrand featuring non-binary models and a shift away from showcasing newly designed vehicles. In April, the company sold just 49 cars across the European Union (EU) and the United Kingdom.

Bud Light also suffered lasting fallout after partnering with transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney in 2023. The campaign led to a 27 percent drop in sales and significant damage to the brand’s image.

Image by Leo Reynolds.

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August 28, 2025
Immigration

Trump Has Started Deporting Illegal Aliens to Rwanda.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Seven illegal immigrants were transferred from the United States to Rwanda in August under a third-country deportation agreement, according to Rwandan authorities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Rwandan government, and seven unidentified deportees.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The deportees arrived in Rwanda in mid-August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Three of the individuals have expressed a desire to return to their home countries, while four wish to stay and build lives in Rwanda.” – Yolande Makolo, Rwandan government spokeswoman.

🎯IMPACT: The deportation agreement highlights ongoing efforts by the Trump administration to facilitate mass deportations by sending migrants who cannot be sent hom directly to third countries, including Rwanda.

IN FULL

The African nation of Rwanda has begun accepting illegal immigrants removed from the United States as part of a third-country deportation agreement. According to Rwandan government officials, the country received seven illegal immigrants deported from the United States in August, with the agreement currently allowing the transfer of up to 250 deportees.

Yolande Makolo, spokeswoman for the Rwandan government, confirmed that the first group of seven vetted illegal immigrant deportees arrived in mid-August. She added that the migrants have been accommodated by an international organization, with visits from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and Rwandan social service representatives.

Makolo stated, “Three of the individuals have expressed a desire to return to their home countries, while four wish to stay and build lives in Rwanda.” Those approved for settlement in Rwanda will receive workforce training and access to healthcare, she said.

Rwanda is one of four African countries that have reached deportation agreements with the U.S., alongside Uganda, Swaziland (Eswatini), and South Sudan.

Image by Hjalmar Gislason.

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August 28, 2025
Health
Lawfare

CDC Director Rejects Firing, Claims Trump Must Personally Remove Her.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Director Susan Monarez disputes her firing, claiming only President Donald J. Trump has the authority to remove her from the position.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Susan Monarez, President Donald Trump, attorney Mark Zaid, and Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Monarez was removed from her position by the White House personnel office on August 27, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[W]e reject notification Dr. Monarez has received as legally deficient and she remains as CDC Director.” – Mark Zaid, attorney for Susan Monarez

🎯IMPACT: The CDC faces significant turmoil amid leadership reforms and debates over vaccine policy.

IN FULL

Susan Monarez, Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), is pushing back against reports that she has been fired, asserting that only the President has the authority to remove her. Monarez’s lawyers stated that White House staff informed her of her termination, but they argue the notification is legally invalid.

“Contrary to govt statements, Dr. Monarez has neither resigned nor yet been fired,” Monarez’s attorney Mark Zaid claimed in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “Our client was notified tonight by White House staff in the personnel office that she was fired. As a presidential appointee, senate confirmed officer, only the president himself can fire her.”

“For this reason, we reject notification Dr. Monarez has received as legally deficient and she remains as CDC Director,”  Zaid insisted. The statement came after the White House announced Monarez’s firing, citing her refusal to resign.

Zaid also noted Monarez’s resistance to what he described as “unscientific, reckless directives” and her refusal to dismiss certain health officials. He claimed this stance made her a target. Monarez has been at odds with her boss, Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., over vaccine policies.

Kennedy, a longtime vaccine skeptic, has called for significant changes to U.S. immunization policy. In an interview, he stated that the CDC “has problems” and requires strong leadership to align with President Trump’s vision of restoring the agency’s credibility. He remarked, “We need to fix it, and we are fixing it, and it may be that some people should not be working there anymore.”

The National Pulse reported on Wednesday that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved updated COVID-19 vaccines from Pfizer, Moderna, and Novavax, but with significant limitations for younger populations. The updated shots, targeting the LP. 8.1 variant, are approved for seniors and those with at least one high-risk health condition, such as asthma or obesity. However, access for healthy adults and children has been curtailed, with Pfizer’s vaccine no longer authorized for children under five.

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August 28, 2025
William Upton
Lawfare

Lisa Cook Sues Trump, Powell for Termination from Fed.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Lisa Cook has filed a lawsuit challenging her removal from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Lisa Cook, President Donald J. Trump, and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed in federal court in the District of Columbia on Thursday, August 28, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump’s conception of ‘cause’ has no limiting principle. It would allow him to remove any Federal Reserve Board member with whom he disagrees about policy based on chalked up allegations.” — Lisa Cook’s lawsuit

🎯IMPACT: Cook is seeking an emergency injunction that would prevent her removal from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors.

IN FULL

Lisa Cook has filed a lawsuit in federal court against President Donald J. Trump and Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell over her removal from the Federal Reserve Board of Governors. The lawsuit, filed in the District of Columbia, challenges the legality of her firing and asks the District Court for emergency injunctive relief to prevent her removal.

“President Trump’s conception of ‘cause’ has no limiting principle,” the lawsuit contends, adding: “It would allow him to remove any Federal Reserve Board member with whom he disagrees about policy based on chalked up allegations.”

Cook’s lawsuit describes her removal as “unprecedented and illegal” and disputes the allegations of mortgage fraud that were cited as justification for her firing. Her legal team argues that the removal violated the Federal Reserve Act of 1913 and court precedent set in Humphrey’s Executor v. United States, which requires “cause” for such actions. The filing argues that because Cook has not yet been criminally charged, there is no “cause” for her firing.

Additionally, the lawsuit claims that Trump’s actions infringed upon Cook’s Fifth Amendment due process rights and her statutory right to notice and a hearing under the Federal Reserve Act. Cook is seeking an immediate injunction against the firing and her reinstatement to the Board of Governors.

While Cook may initially prevail at the District Court level, many legal scholars argue her case is unlikely to survive appeal as higher courts may be more hesitant to intervene in the executive branch’s determination of what constitutes “cause.”

Image by Brookings Institution.

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August 28, 2025
Culture
News

‘I Wish I Never Brainwashed Myself’ — Trans Church Shooter Regretted Gender Transition.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The transgender mass shooter who targeted the Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, regretted his gender transition, reports reveal.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Robin Westman, a 23-year-old male-to-female transgender originally named Robert, carried out the attack. Victims included students and staff at the school.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting took place on Wednesday morning, August 27, at Annunciation Catholic Church and School in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brainwashed myself,” Westman wrote in a manifesto-like document.

🎯IMPACT: The attack, which left multiple victims dead or injured, raises concerns about a growing number of disturbed transgenders engaging in extreme violence.

IN FULL

Robin Westman, responsible for yesterday’s mass shooting targeting Annunciation Catholic School in Minneapolis, Minnesota, during a morning prayer service, regretted his transgender transition. “I only keep [the long hair] because it is pretty much my last shred of being trans. I am tired of being trans, I wish I never brainwashed myself,” he wrote in a manifesto-like document uploaded to YouTube.

“I can’t cut my hair now as it would be an embarrassing defeat, and it might be a concerning change of character that could get me reported,” he continued, complaining that “It just always gets in my way” and that he would “probably chop it on the day of the attack.”

Elsewhere, he wrote, “‘I know I am not a woman but I definitely don’t feel like a man.”

Westman, who changed his name from Robert in 2019 to align with his transgender identity, inscribed phrases like “Kill Donald Trump” and “Where is your God?” on the firearms and firearm accessories he used to carry out his attack.

Hundreds gathered for a vigil led by community leaders and clergy, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) and Archbishop Bernard Hebda. Hebda highlighted the resilience shown during the tragedy, saying, “In the midst of that there was courage, there was bravery, but most especially there was love.”

Principal Matthew DeBoer and Pastor Dennis Zehren grieved the loss of two students aged eight and ten, saying, “No words can capture what we have gone through, what we are going through, and what we will go through in the coming days and weeks.”

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August 28, 2025
Crime
Data

Majority of Voters Support Trump’s D.C. Crime Crackdown as Justified, Necessary.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll shows 54 percent of voters support President Donald J. Trump’s crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., including the deployment of the National Guard.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the National Guard, federal officers, and the federalized Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The poll was conducted online in August 2025, among 2,025 registered voters in the U.S.

🎯IMPACT: The poll shows public support for addressing crime in major cities.

IN FULL

New survey data reveals that 54 percent of voters believe President Donald J. Trump‘s crackdown on crime in Washington, D.C., is justified and necessary. The poll, conducted last week by Harvard CAPS/Harris, found that 85 percent of Republicans and 47 percent of Independents supported Trump’s actions, along with 28 percent of Democrats.

Earlier this month, citing unique provisions in the District of Columbia’s Home Rule Act, President Trump federalized—for 30 days—the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD), and deployed federal law enforcement officers from various agencies to support them, along with the National Guard. Seventy-three percent of respondents believe that the National Guard deployment signals that Trump may take similar action in other cities.

The survey highlighted broader concerns over crime in American cities, with 56 percent of voters agreeing that, in general, large cities are unsafe. Specifically, 63 percent of respondents pointed to New York City and 62 percent to Los Angeles as examples of unsafe urban centers. A plurality of voters, 40 percent, said crime in the U.S. is on the rise.

The poll was conducted online on August 20-21, 2025, surveying 2,025 registered voters nationwide.

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August 28, 2025
War

Russia Strikes British Council and EU HQ.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Russian air strikes on Kiev, Ukraine, have hit the British Council building and the European Union (EU) delegation headquarters, killing at least 17 people and causing significant damage.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russian forces, Ukrainian residents and emergency workers, EU officials, and British Council personnel. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen have issued statements.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred early on Thursday morning in Kiev, Ukraine, targeting civilian and diplomatic sites.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end.” – Keir Starmer

🎯IMPACT: The attack has escalated tensions between Russia and the West and led to calls for stronger sanctions on Russia. The EU summoned Moscow’s envoy in Brussels.

IN FULL

Russia has carried out an allegedly “deliberate” missile attack on the British Council building and the European Union (EU) delegation headquarters in Kiev during a massive assault on the city. The strikes reportedly killed at least 17 people, including a 14-year-old girl, and caused extensive damage.

The British Council, partly funded by Britain’s Foreign Office, suffered severe damage from two missiles that struck within 20 seconds of each other. European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen denounced the attack, accusing Moscow of “targeting the EU” and labeling it deliberate.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called the attacks “horrific and deliberate killings of civilians,” pressing allies for tougher sanctions and a stronger stance against Russia. British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer condemned the strikes as “senseless,” accusing Russian President Vladimir Putin of undermining peace efforts.

Starmer declared, “Putin is killing children and civilians, and sabotaging hopes of peace. This bloodshed must end.” Britain’s Foreign Office—roughly equivalent to the U.S. State Department—also summoned the Russian ambassador in response.

The assault also hit residential buildings and civilian infrastructure, with Kiev’s military administration reporting the use of ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as Iranian-designed Shahed drones. In one neighborhood, a five-story apartment building was split in half, and residents searched for loved ones as emergency services cleared debris.

The Kremlin says it remains open to talks but that military operations will continue for the time being. Dmitry Peskov, Putin’s spokesman, said, “The Russian armed forces are fulfilling their tasks. At the same time, Russia remains interested in continuing the negotiation process.”

Zelensky rejected these claims, stating, “Russia chooses ballistics instead of the negotiating table. It chooses to continue killing instead of ending the war.”

Image by Oleksiі Samsonov.

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