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Category: News
July 17, 2025
Crime
Politics

VOA Employee Charged for Alleged Death Threats Against Marjorie Taylor Greene.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Voice of America (VOA) employee was arrested on federal charges for allegedly making death threats against Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) and her family.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Suspect Seth Jason and Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Arrest took place on Thursday; threats reportedly made between October 2023 and January 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “No one should have to live their life looking over their shoulder every day and wondering if those threats are about to be fulfilled and about to come true.” – Acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro

🎯IMPACT: The arrest highlights ongoing concerns about threats to elected representatives.

IN FULL

Seth Jason, a 64-year-old resident of Edgewater, Maryland, was arrested on Thursday after being indicted on multiple federal charges. Jason is accused of making death threats against Republican Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA), her family, and her staff over the course of more than a year.

The indictment alleges that Jason repeatedly called Greene’s district offices between October 2023 and January 2025, threatening to assault and kill her and her family. He also allegedly used phone lines connected to Voice of America (VOA) headquarters in Washington, where he was employed, to issue these threats.

During a news conference, Acting U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro stressed the severity of such threats, stating, “No one should have to live their life looking over their shoulder every day and wondering if those threats are about to be fulfilled and about to come true.” She also read one of Jason’s alleged messages, which said, “I am looking forward to your book signing. We are all armed and ready to take care of you.”

Jason, who had also volunteered as a reserve officer for the Anne Arundel County Police Department since 2016, is no longer affiliated with the department. In a statement, the department clarified that its reserve officers are unarmed and have no police authority.

Capitol Police Chief Michael Sullivan referenced a recent politically motivated shooting in Minnesota, emphasizing the need to hold individuals accountable for such threats. “This has got to stop,” Sullivan said. “We are going to work very, very hard to hold you accountable if you make these threats.”

The case is just the latest example of political threats and violence against conservatives, and comes just a year after the attempted assassination of President Donald J. Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania, by shooter Thomas Matthew Crooks.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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July 17, 2025
News

White House Rules Out Special Counsel to Investigate Epstein Case.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The White House announced there will be no special counsel appointed for the Epstein case.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: White House officials and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made in July 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The President would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That’s how he feels.” — White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

🎯IMPACT: The decision may further a growing rift between President Trump and elements of his base over Epstein.

IN FULL

The White House has confirmed that no special counsel will be appointed to investigate the handling of deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein’s case. The announcement was made amidst growing disquiet in President Donald J. Trump’s MAGA base over the handling of the case.

Pressed on the issue directly by the media, President Trump said, “I have nothing to do with it.” Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later confirmed, “The President would not recommend a special prosecutor in the Epstein case. That’s how he feels.”

White House representatives stated that they believe the Department of Justice (DOJ), under Attorney General Pam Bondi, is managing the situation appropriately and that a special counsel is unnecessary.

Critics of the decision argue that appointing a special counsel would ensure an independent and thorough investigation, free from potential conflicts of interest. MAGA stalwarts such as WarRoom host and former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon argue that such a special counsel, reporting directly to the President, would restore people’s faith that the case is being taken seriously, after Attorney General Bondi appeared to deny the existence of a “client list” she previously said was “on [her] desk” and mislabeled doctored video footage from near Epstein’s cell as “raw.”

Trump has adopted an increasingly hostile stance against people pushing for accountability and transparency in the Epstein case, labelling it a Democrat “hoax” and declaring, “I don’t want their support anymore!”

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July 17, 2025
News
Politics

NYC’s Zohran Mamdani Is Willing to Abolish Private Property.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A video clip of the Democrats’ New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani endorsing “the abolition of private property” sparked controversy online.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, Republican lawmakers including Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-NY), and social media commentators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The undated clip went viral on social media on July 17, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Whether you call it the abolition of private property or just a statewide housing guarantee, it is preferable to what is going on right now.” – Zohran Mamdani

🎯IMPACT: The remarks drew widespread criticism, with opponents labeling Mamdani a communist and calling for his defeat in the upcoming election.

IN FULL

Zohran Mamdani, the Democrat candidate for New York City mayor, faced a wave of backlash after a video clip of him advocating for “the abolition of private property” gained traction online. The footage was initially shared by the pro-MAGA Twitter account “End Wokeness” and subsequently amplified by prominent Republicans, including Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and Representative Elise Stefanik (R-NY).

In the clip, Mamdani, who is currently a New York state assemblyman, stated, “My platform is that every single person should have housing… whether you call it the abolition of private property or… just a statewide housing guarantee, it is preferable to what is going on right now.” He added that he prioritizes ensuring people have homes over adhering to the current system.

Senator Cruz responded to the clip by calling Mamdani “a communist,” while Stefanik labeled him “Commie Mamdani” and criticized Democrat New York Governor Kathy Hochul for failing to condemn Mamdani’s remarks. “This is the NY Democrat Party @KathyHochul you lead, and you have failed to condemn this dangerous insanity,” Stefanik wrote on Twitter.

Other critics, including Amy Kremer and Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY), expressed alarm at Mamdani’s comments. Lawler described the proposal as “bat shit insane” and urged voters to reject Mamdani at the ballot box in November, while Kremer accused him of wanting to seize personal property, including homes and apartments. The New York Young Republican Club referred to Mamdani as a “thoroughbred Marxist” and a “discount Bolshevik.”

Notably, Mamdani also supports the abolition of prisons and defunding the police. Born in Uganda, he is a member of Shia Islam’s extremist “Twelver” sect, and only became a U.S. citizen in 2018.

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July 17, 2025
1A
Lawfare

Federal Court Upholds Ban on Critical Race Theory in Schools.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A ban on critical race theory (CRT) in Arkansas schools has been successfully defended before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin, a three-judge panel from the 8th Circuit, and students challenging the law.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Wednesday by the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

💬KEY QUOTE: “With its ruling today, the 8th Circuit continues to ensure that the responsibility of setting the curriculum is in the hands of democratically elected officials who, by nature, are responsive to voters.” – Tim Griffin

🎯IMPACT: The ruling vacates a prior injunction and reinforces the state’s authority to determine school curricula.

IN FULL

The State of Arkansas successfully defended its ban on critical race theory in its schools before the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals. On Wednesday, a three-judge panel issued a ruling against a legal challenge brought by a group of students who contend the state ban violates their First Amendment rights.

“Since the Free Speech Clause does not give the students the right to compel the government to say something it does not wish to, they cannot show a likelihood of success,” the 8th Circuit ruling reads. Notably, there are long-standing legal precedents for schools and both the state and federal governments to limit the free speech rights of students.

The ruling was met with praise by Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin (R), who stated on Wednesday: “With its ruling today, the 8th Circuit continues to ensure that the responsibility of setting the curriculum is in the hands of democratically elected officials who, by nature, are responsive to voters.”

Image by college.library.

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July 17, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
News
Religion

Jews Fleeing ‘Tolerant’ Canada for Trump’s America.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Jews are fleeing Canada for the United States and Israel after a surge in anti-Semitic incidents.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jews in Canada, pro-Palestinian and pro-Hamas agitators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Canada, over recent months.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Toronto and Montreal seem to have become the standouts in the Western world. The velocity, ferociousness, intensity of the way in which anti-Semitism has sparked and spread in Toronto and Montreal, to this day, it shocks me.” – former Canadian ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici.

🎯IMPACT: Growing danger for Jews could lead more to flee Canada as pro-Palestinian agitators continue to march and target Jewish businesses and religious sites.

IN FULL

After a surge of anti-Semitic incidents in Canada, some Jews claim they are relocating to the United States, while others are looking to move to Israel. From 2022 to 2024, Canada saw a 124.6 percent increase in hate incidents directed at Jews, who account for around 70 percent of the victims of religiously motivated hate crimes despite being just 0.9 percent of the Canadian population.

Political strategist Georganne Burke, a resident of Canada’s capital, Ottawa, said she is planning on moving to Florida due to the rise in anti-Semitism after living in Canada for 40 years. “People know who I am, I’m on television, I’m on radio, I’m on social media, I don’t hide. But if that’s going to mean that people are gonna feel free to threaten my life. I don’t have to live here,” she explained, also noting the rise of anti-American attitudes following President Donald J. Trump‘s reelection.

Alongside a rise in anti-Semitic incidents, Canada has seen anti-Israel, and often pro-Hamas, demonstrations take place regularly in major cities like Toronto and Montreal since the October 7 massacres of Israelis by Hamas terrorists. Protestors have sometimes targeted Jewish neighbourhoods, community centers, and synagogues.

“Toronto and Montreal seem to have become the standouts in the Western world. The velocity, ferociousness, intensity of the way in which anti-Semitism has sparked and spread in Toronto and Montreal, to this day, it shocks me,” former Canadian ambassador to Israel Vivian Bercovici said.

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July 17, 2025
Religion
War

Israeli Strike on Gaza’s Only Catholic Church Kills Three, Injures Priest.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Holy Family Catholic Church was struck during the ongoing conflict in  Gaza, resulting in fatalities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Victims included Christians and Muslims sheltering at the church, with injuries reported for the parish priest, Father Gabriel Romanelli.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred in Gaza City amidst ongoing Israeli strikes.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable.” – Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni

🎯IMPACT: The incident highlights the plight of Gaza’s Christian minority, one of the oldest Christian communities in the world.

IN FULL

Israeli officials have issued an apology after Gaza’s Holy Family Catholic Church, a sanctuary for many Christians and Muslims during the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, was struck in an attack that left three dead and several injured, including parish priest Father Gabriel Romanelli. Witnesses attribute the damage to Israeli tank shelling.

Fr. Romanelli, who has maintained a close relationship with the Vatican and spoke regularly to the late Pope Francis, was treated for injuries to his leg, but is reportedly in stable condition. Two people were reported dead initially, with a third person now believed to have succumbed to their injuries.

The church compound, home to a small Catholic community of approximately 135 people, has served as a shelter for civilians, including children with disabilities. Fadel Naem, acting director of Al-Ahli Hospital, confirmed that both Christians and Muslims were present during the attack.

The Israeli Foreign Ministry has released a statement on the incident, saying, “Israel expresses deep sorrow over the damage to the Holy Family Church in Gaza City and over any civilian casualty. The IDF is examining this incident, the circumstances of which are still unclear, and the results of the investigation will be published transparently.”

Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, who is Catholic, condemned the incident, stating, “The attacks on the civilian population that Israel has been demonstrating for months are unacceptable. No military action can justify such an attitude.”

Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani echoed her sentiments, calling the strike a “serious act against a Christian place of worship.” Both leaders called for an immediate cessation of violence.

Pope Leo XIV, head of the Roman Catholic Church, also released a statement, saying, “I assure the parish community of my spiritual closeness. I commend the souls of the deceased to the loving mercy of Almighty God, and pray for their families and the injured. I renew my call for an immediate ceasefire. Only dialogue and reconciliation can ensure enduring peace!”

The attack comes amid intensified strikes across Gaza, where civilian casualties continue to rise. Reports indicate that 22 people were killed in Gaza on the same day, with ongoing concerns over the safety of the region’s small Christian population.

Image by Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.

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July 17, 2025
Immigration

These GOP Lawmakers Are Pushing Amnesty, ‘Dignity’ for Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: At least 11 GOP legislators are backing a de facto amnesty bill, The Dignity Act, which would increase immigrant inflows and grant multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) is leading the effort, alongside other GOP House lawmakers and some Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill was announced on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I don’t think that we should be arresting [illegal immigrants] who have been in the country more than five years, don’t have a criminal record, are good for the economy, and they are needed in construction, hospitality, and agricultural,” said Rep. Salazar.

🎯IMPACT: Critics argue the bill would harm American workers, weaken the GOP coalition, and benefit businesses relying on cheap foreign labor.

IN FULL

Representative Maria Salazar (R-FL) and at least 10 other GOP legislators are pushing The Dignity Act, a controversial immigration bill that includes multiple paths to amnesty for illegal immigrants. Despite Salazar’s denial of the term “amnesty,” the bill offers legal status to various immigrant populations, including individuals who have illegally voted in federal elections.

The bill also revives past proposals, such as President Joe Biden’s “Labor Neighbors” program and President George W. Bush’s 2001 “Any Willing Worker” plan, which would open the door to an unlimited influx of foreign workers. Among its provisions, the bill proposes creating immigration centers in Latin America and granting O visas to STEM PhD graduates from U.S. universities, allowing them to remain in the country.

Notably, Rep. Salazar’s legislation has cropped up several times in Congress, with a previous iteration, mostly backed by Democrats, being introduced in January this year. The National Pulse, at the time, provided a breakdown of the bill, which was then and is now tantamount to an amnesty measure.

Critics argue Salazar’s bill prioritizes business interests over American workers. It has drawn support from GOP lawmakers Don Bacon (R-NE), Mario Rafael Diaz-Balart (R-FL), Gabe Evans (R-CO), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Young Kim (R-CA), Mike Lawler (R-NY), Dan Newhouse (R-WA), Marlin Stutzman (R-IN), and David Valadao (R-CA). A number of Democrats, including Veronica Escobar (D-TX) and Adriano Espaillat (D-NY), are also supporting.

However, pro-American legislators, including Rep. Brandon Gill (R-TX), are pushing back, denouncing the proposal as a “wage-cutting, coalition-breaking giveaway.”

Image by World Economic Forum / Benedikt von Loebell.

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July 17, 2025
News
UK

Far-Left UK Govt Dropping Voting Age to 16, Weakening Voter ID—Farage May Benefit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The British government announced plans to lower the voting age to 16 before the next general election, alongside weakening voter ID rules and a move toward automatic voter registration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer and the far-left Labour Party, Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali, and the Electoral Commission.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The changes are set to be implemented before the next general election, which must occur no later than 2029, across the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “At 16, a young person can work, they pay taxes, they can join the Army. So there’s no reason why from that age, they shouldn’t have a say in who governs our country.” – Rushanara Ali

🎯IMPACT: The proposed changes would expand the electorate by approximately 1.5 million 16 and 17-year-olds and introduce new voter ID and registration systems.

IN FULL

Britain’s leftist Labour Party government has announced significant electoral changes, lowering the voting age to 16 before the next general election. This change, part of broader election reforms, also includes expanding the range of acceptable voter ID and exploring automated voter registration systems.

Democracy Minister Rushanara Ali defended the decision, stating, “At 16, a young person can work, they pay taxes, they can join the Army. So there’s no reason why from that age, they shouldn’t have a say in who governs our country.” This marks the most significant change to the electorate since the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 in 1969.

The reforms mean that 16 and 17-year-olds will now be able to vote in all British elections. Young people will also be allowed to register to vote from age 14. However, the age to stand as a candidate remains at 18.

Additionally, changes to voter ID rules will allow voters to use even British bank cards displaying their names as proof of identity, alongside existing forms of ID such as passports and driving licenses, significantly weakening security. Automated voter registration is also being explored, with pilot programs already underway in Wales.

The next general election must be held by August 2029, but it could occur earlier at Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s discretion.

Polling reveals that half of those aged 16 and 17 do not even want to be able to vote, and only 18 percent said they would vote if an election were tomorrow.

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage believes lowering the voting age could benefit Labour due to a strong left-wing bias in the educational system. On X, Farage said, “Giving 16 and 17-year-olds the right to vote is an attempt to rig the political system,” but he added that Labour may be in for a shock as Reform polls in second place among the same demographic.

The populist party appears to be particularly popular among young men; a phenomenon that has also been observed in countries such as Germany and Poland.

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China Spying
July 17, 2025
Wake Up Right
News

Microsft Accused of Exposing Pentagon to Chinese Spies.

Microsoft is accused of allowing China-based engineers work on U.S. military cloud systems with minimal oversight and safeguards, according to a bombshell ProPublica report.

The details: Beginning in 2016, Microsoft established a program dubbed “digital escorting” where it paid U.S. contractors $18/hr to pair with foreign engineers who worked on federal cloud systems.

  • The digital escorts were often ex-military with minimal tech skills.
  • The “escorts” acted as intermediaries, entering commands into Pentagon servers on behalf of China-based engineers.
  • The data fell below “classified” levels but included materials crucial to military operations.

In simple terms: Microsoft was paying these escorts for access to their security clearances.

Red flag: Experts worry that the digital escorts lacked the tech savvy to detect whether the Chinese engineers were engaging in sabotage or installing malware.

Aren’t there regulations to prevent this? Yes. Per Defense Department policy, individuals must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to access sensitive data.

Zoom out: In 2023, Chinese hackers breached Microsoft’s cloud and accessed data from the Commerce Secretary, the Ambassador to China, and the Pentagon.

What is Microsoft saying? They claim these foreign workers never had “direct access” to Pentagon data.

The last word goes to Michael Sobolik of the Hudson Institute, who said this program was “like asking the fox to guard the henhouse.”

UPDATE — Friday, July 18: In response to the controversy, Microsoft Chief Communications Officer Frank Shaw stated that the tech firm “has made changes to our support for U.S. Government customers to assure that no China-based engineering teams are providing technical assistance for DoD Government cloud and related services.”

“We remain committed to providing the most secure services possible to the U.S. government, including working with our national security partners to evaluate and adjust our security protocols as needed,” Shaw added.

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Microsoft is accused of allowing China-based engineers work on U.S. military cloud systems with minimal oversight and safeguards, according to a bombshell ProPublica report. show more
July 16, 2025
News

Maurene Comey, Epstein Prosecutor & Daughter of Ex-FBI Chief, Fired.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired from the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Maurene Comey, James Comey, and the Southern District of New York.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, at the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

💬KEY QUOTE: A spokesman for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.

🎯IMPACT: The reason for her firing remains unclear, but it follows her role in high-profile cases, including those involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

IN FULL

Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired Wednesday from the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The reason for her dismissal has not been disclosed.

Comey, an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York since 2015, worked on several high-profile cases. These included the prosecution of Epstein and Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for multiple sex crimes. Most recently, she worked on the sex trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, which resulted in the jury acquitting him of significant charges such as racketeering and sex trafficking.

In the Diddy trial, the jury reached a verdict on four out of five charges, finding him guilty only of transportation to engage in prostitution. The nearly month-long trial concluded with Combs avoiding the most severe penalties.

The Southern District of New York declined to comment on the firing. Politico first reported Comey’s dismissal.

James Comey, her father, has been a controversial figure, especially following President Trump’s firing as FBI director in 2017. The Trump administration has investigated him for potential misconduct during the FBI’s 2016 Trump-Russia probe. Earlier this year, Comey faced scrutiny for a cryptic Instagram post that led to Trump’s accusations of incitement.

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