GET THE APP
Tuesday, October 21, 2025

Category: News
July 23, 2025
News

White House Leaves Dem Donor & Biden Holdover as SecDef Chief of Staff.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump’s advisers have paused efforts to replace Joe Biden holdover and suspected leaker Ricky Buria as acting chief of staff to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, allowing him to continue in the role.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ricky Buria, Pete Hegseth, Trump administration officials, and former Pentagon staff such as Joe Kasper and Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Recent months, primarily at the Pentagon and the White House.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Hegseth has since defended Buria at every turn, even as the White House told the defense secretary he could keep Buria but that he would never become chief of staff,” according to The Guardian.

🎯IMPACT: Buria remains in a key Pentagon role despite White House reservations, while questions linger regarding his role in internal controversies.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump’s advisers have decided to halt efforts to find a new chief of staff for Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, allowing Joe Biden holdover Ricky Buria to continue in an acting capacity, sources claim. While Buria is not expected to be formally approved for the role, the push to replace him has lost momentum.

Buria’s efforts to amass power within the Defense Department were first exposed by The National Pulse. These efforts appear to have been largely successful, despite his history of donating to Democrats such as Mike O’Brien—who claims President Trump “hates veterans”—through the highly controversial ActBlue platform.

His influence has grown as he filled a power vacuum created by the departure of key aides earlier this year, including Joe Kasper and Lt. Gen. Jennifer Short, amid a contentious leak investigation. Concerningly, Buria himself is accused of being a significant source of leaks, with the Air Force Office of Special Investigations reportedly investigating his alleged disclosures to media that are generally hostile to the Trump administration.

According to The Guardian, “Hegseth has… defended Buria at every turn, even as the White House told the defense secretary he could keep Buria but that he would never become chief of staff.”

Nevertheless, Buria has effectively taken on the role regardless, with West Wing staffers reportedly referring to him as “Chief Ricky.”

Hegseth’s decision to retain Buria has effectively handed him the responsibilities of the chief of staff role, despite the White House’s reservations. The situation reflects ongoing tensions and unresolved issues within the Pentagon’s leadership under the Trump administration.

A favorite of Biden’s Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, Buria has maintained links with several Biden-era staffers. Biden Department of Defense official Anne Powers publicly referred to Buria as her “partner in crime” on LinkedIn.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 23, 2025
Corruption
News

Tulsi Gabbard: Documents Declassified Today Prove Obama ‘Coup.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard has accused former President Barack Obama of manufacturing evidence to suggest Russian interference in the 2016 election and released more documents to support her claims.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tulsi Gabbard, Barack Obama, James Comey, John Brennan, James Clapper, Hillary Clinton, and others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Claims focus on a December 9, 2016, National Security Council meeting and subsequent events, with recent developments occurring in July 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is essential that for the future of our nation and our democratic republic, that accountability must occur.” – Tulsi Gabbard

🎯IMPACT: The allegations have sparked further political division, with critics accusing Gabbard of distraction tactics and supporters calling for accountability in intelligence operations.

IN FULL

U.S. Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has said that former President Barack Obama orchestrated a scheme to manufacture evidence implicating Russia in aiding President Donald J. Trump during the 2016 presidential election. Gabbard has released additional documents to substantiate her claims, which involve senior Obama administration officials, including former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, and former DNI James Clapper.

“We will be releasing further documents tomorrow that will refute that statement,” she said on Tuesday night. “We will be pulling a whole host of statements that were made by the Obama administration, by Hillary Clinton, by senior Democrat officials, by their friends in the media that state, over and over again, after this January 2017 manufactured intelligence document was created, that repeat the narrative.”

The newly declassified evidence comes from a House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence staff report, with Gabbard saying it “exposes how the Obama Administration manufactured the January 2017 Intelligence Community Assessment that they knew was false, promoting the LIE that Vladimir Putin and the Russian government helped President Trump win the 2016 election.”

“In doing so, they conspired to subvert the will of the American people, working with their partners in the media to promote the lie, in order to undermine the legitimacy of President Trump, essentially enacting a years-long coup against him,” she added.

President Trump has said it is “time to go after people” for attempting to negate his first presidency, telling the media on Tuesday, The witch hunt that you should be talking about is they caught President Obama absolutely cold… They tried to rig the election, and they got caught—and there should be very severe consequences for that.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 23, 2025
News

State Dept Condemns European Union’s ‘Orwellian’ Censorship.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. State Department criticized the European Union (EU) censorship regime, calling it “Orwellian.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. State Department, Vice President J.D. Vance, and American social media companies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The criticism was made in a social media post on Tuesday, following remarks by Vance earlier this year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This Orwellian message won’t fool the United States. Censorship is not freedom.” – U.S. State Department

🎯IMPACT: The statement links EU’s Digital Services Act to censorship concerns, affecting tech and social media companies.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has openly criticized European Union (EU) speech restrictions on social media, describing them as “Orwellian” censorship in a recent social media post by the U.S. State Department. The department linked these actions to the EU’s Digital Services Act (DSA).

“In Europe, thousands are being convicted for the crime of criticizing their own governments,” the department stated. “This Orwellian message won’t fool the United States. Censorship is not freedom,” it added, sharing the message alongside a graphic reading, “All the DSA protects is European leaders from their own people.”

The State Department’s remarks come as American social media giants such as Facebook parent company Meta and Elon Musk’s X (formerly Twitter) face legal challenges under the DSA, which went into effect in 2022. These companies have been scrutinized under the EU’s stringent content moderation rules for failing to censor their users sufficiently.

Earlier this year, Vice President J.D. Vance voiced concerns about EU censorship at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, saying, “The threat that I worry the most about vis-à-vis Europe is not Russia, it’s not China, it’s not any other external actor. And what I worry about is the threat from within.”

President Donald J. Trump later concurred, telling reporters, “I think it’s true; in Europe, they’re losing their wonderful right of freedom of speech. I see it.”

Image: European Union 2017 – European Parliament.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 23, 2025
Wake Up Right
Sports
Sports

U.S. Olympics Ban Transgenders.

The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee got in line with the Trump administration and effectively banned men from competing in women’s sports.

The details: The revised policy doesn’t mention “transgender” athletes specifically, but confirms the committee would be in compliance with President Trump’s Executive Order 14201, Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports, signed in February.

  • In its policy update, the committee said: “We’re ensuring women have a fair and safe competition environment

Zoom out: The shift comes after global backlash over recent competitions – namely Algeria’s Imane Khelif, who failed gender testing but won gold in the women’s welterweight boxing division at the Paris Games.

The numbers: A recent NBC poll found 75% of Americans oppose men competing in women’s sports – including two-thirds of Gen Z.

Looking ahead: The 2028 Summer Olympics will be hosted in Los Angeles while Trump is still in office.

The last word goes to former NCAA swimmer Riley Gaines, who wrote on X: “It’s hard to applaud an organization for merely following the law, but nonetheless, this is a win.”

Image by Gatorfan252525.

Be sure to subscribe to the Wake Up Right newsletter! 

show less
The U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee got in line with the Trump administration and effectively banned men from competing in women’s sports. show more
Migrant Crime
July 22, 2025
Immigration
News

ICE Is Going After Bosses Who Exploit Illegal Immigrant Labour.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons discussed the agency’s focus on worksite enforcement actions targeting crimes like human trafficking and child exploitation.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Todd Lyons, acting ICE Director, and ICE enforcement teams.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Remarks were made during a broadcast of NewsNation’s Cuomo this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We want to go ahead and [tackle] those American businesses that are illegally taking credit off the men and women that they have working for them. We are going after the businesses as well.” – Todd Lyons

🎯IMPACT: ICE is emphasizing enforcement against businesses involved in illegal practices, alongside its focus on criminal warrants.

IN FULL

Acting U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Todd Lyons has stated the agency’s current focus on worksite enforcement actions will see the agency go after bosses who employ and exploit illegal aliens. These operations are aimed at locations with potential human trafficking, child exploitation, or other criminal activities.

Lyons stated, “We hear all the time, from the left and the right, hey, we’ll support you if you have a criminal warrant, search warrant signed by a judge. And when you see a lot of the worksite that we’ve done, like the marijuana grow farm or the events on June 6 that led to the riots and the protesting of us in L.A., they were actual federal criminal warrants that ICE was going to a location that either had possible human trafficking, child exploitation, or some type of criminal event. That’s what ICE is focused on right now.”

He further explained that the agency is not solely focused on illegal immigrants working illegally. “We want to go ahead and [tackle] those American businesses that are illegally taking credit off the men and women that they have working for them. We are going after the businesses as well,” Lyons said.

The ICE raid of a marijuana farm in California earlier this month saw agents discover illegal immigrant children being exploited. Despite this, the state’s Democrat Governor, Gavin Newsom, took aim at ICE’s methods, complaining that they were using tear gas on women and children.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 22, 2025
Lawfare
Politics

Obama and Biden Judges Push Alina Habba Out of US Attorney Role.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba was replaced after New Jersey federal district court judges, predominantly appointed by former presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, voted against extending her term.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Alina Habba, Desiree Grace, President Donald J. Trump, Newark Mayor Ras Baraka (D), and Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Decision announced Tuesday, July 22, in the Federal District of New Jersey.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law.” – Todd Blanche

🎯IMPACT: Desiree Grace will temporarily assume the role; Habba could still resume the role should she be confirmed by the U.S. Senate to a full term.

IN FULL

Interim U.S. Attorney Alina Habba‘s position in the District of New Jersey came to an abrupt end—for now—after federal district court judges, predominantly appointed by former Presidents Barack Obama and Joe Biden, voted not to extend her term. The judges voted behind closed doors on Monday to replace her with First Assistant U.S. Attorney Desiree Grace. Grace will temporarily take over the role effective immediately, according to a court order made public on Tuesday, July 22.

Habba, known for her previous role as President Donald J. Trump’s personal attorney and legal spokeswoman, has aggressively pursued legal action against a group of New Jersey Democratic Party lawmakers who are accused of physically assaulting federal immigration officials earlier this year. In May, she ordered the arrest of Newark’s Democratic mayor, Ras Baraka, for allegedly trespassing in an immigration detention facility. The charges were later dropped, and a judge criticized her actions as an attempt to “satisfy public clamor.” Baraka has since filed a defamation lawsuit against Habba.

Additionally, in June, Congresswoman LaMonica McIver (D-NJ) pleaded not guilty to charges brought by Habba alleging McIver forcibly impeded federal officers during the attempted arrest of Baraka. The charges include allegations that McIver physically obstructed officers, using her arms to block and strike them.

President Trump recently nominated Habba for a full four-year term, emphasizing her commitment to cracking down on street crime. She has also received endorsements from law enforcement groups. However, Democrats in the U.S. Senate say they will uniformly oppose the nomination, citing a lack of prosecutorial experience and accusing her of politicizing the role.

Habba’s path to Senate confirmation currently appears blocked as New Jersey’s Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, submitted blue slips opposing her nomination. However, the blue slip process is merely a courtesy extended to a nominee’s home-state senators by the relevant committee chairman and can be ignored.

Deputy U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche defended Habba on Tuesday, accusing the federal judges of pursuing a partisan agenda. “The district court judges in NJ are trying to force out [Habba] before her term expires at 11:59 PM Friday. Their rush reveals what this was always about: a left-wing agenda, not the rule of law,” Blanche stated on X (formerly Twitter). He added: “When judges act like activists, they undermine confidence in our justice system. Alina is President Trump’s choice to lead—and no partisan bench can override that.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 22, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Corruption
World

Anti-Zelensky Protests Erupt in Ukraine After Crackdown on Anti-Corruption Agencies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Protests have erupted in Ukraine after President Volodymyr Zelensky signed a bill scrapping the independence of anti-corruption groups.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Volodymyr Zelensky, the Ukrainian parliament, and protestors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill was signed by Zelensky on July 22.

💬KEY QUOTE: Josh Rudolph of the German Marshall Fund called the moves a “brazen campaign to undermine the entire ecosystem constructed to root out corruption.”

🎯IMPACT: The crackdown and legislation have led to the first major protests against the Zelensky regime since Russia’s full-scale invasion in 2022.

IN FULL

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s government is facing popular protests for undermining the country’s leading anti-corruption bodies, with the Ukrainian leader signing a bill that ends the independence of agencies tasked with investigating high-level corruption.

Last week, Vitalii Shabunin, a prominent anti-corruption activist and frequent critic of the Zelensky administration, was charged with evading military service and fraud, accusations he and dozens of civil society groups say are politically motivated. “This prosecution of Mr. Shabunin is the opening salvo,” said Josh Rudolph of the German Marshall Fund, calling it part of a “brazen campaign to undermine the entire ecosystem constructed to root out corruption.”

On July 21, Ukrainian security services launched sweeping raids on the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) and the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office (SAPO), claiming Russian infiltration. Authorities detained one NABU employee, though the agency said no evidence was ever presented in previous discussions with security officials.

The following day, the Ukrainian parliament, dominated by Zelensky’s party, passed legislation giving the President-appointed prosecutor general expanded control over these anti-corruption agencies. NABU Director Semen Kryvonos warned the law would dismantle efforts to “fight high-level corruption,” urging Zelensky not to sign it.

Critics argue these moves signal a broader crackdown on dissent. “This is the moment when Zelensky and his administration have very clearly crossed the red line,” said Daria Kaleniuk, head of the Anti-Corruption Action Center, which Shabunin co-founded.

The backlash includes editorials in major Ukrainian media and an open letter from 59 NGOs, calling the charges against Shabunin a “deliberate attack to pressure” him. The Group of 7 (G7) also voiced “serious concerns” about the raids and legislative changes.

Svitlana Matviienko, executive director of the Ukrainian non-profit Agency for Legislative Initiatives, compared the new legislation to the corruption under former President Viktor Yanukovych, ousted in the Western-backed 2014 Euromaidan coup.

Anti-Zelensky protests erupted just hours after the parliament voted—the first major protests against Zelensky and his regime during the war with Russia. Some claim that thousands took part in protests in Kiev, as well as in major cities like Lviv and Dnipro.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 22, 2025
News

China Appears to be Holding a U.S. Govt Employee Hostage…

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A U.S. federal government employee has been unable to leave China since April 14 after Chinese authorities in the city of Chengdu seized their passport, electronic devices, and credit cards. They were subsequently informed by Chinese officials that they are subject to an exit ban, meaning they cannot return to the United States without approval from Beijing.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: An unidentified U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) employee, the U.S. Department of State, the Chinese Foreign Ministry, and Wells Fargo banker Mao Chenyue.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The U.S. government employee has been restricted from leaving China since April 14, 2025, with the Department of State confirming the situation in July.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We can confirm that a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee, while traveling to China in a personal capacity, was made subject to an exit ban in China.” — U.S. State Department

🎯IMPACT: The diplomatic row comes amid the ongoing trade conflict between the United States and China, along with heightened tensions regarding Beijing’s territorial aims on Taiwan.

IN FULL

China has placed an exit ban on a United States government employee, restricting the individual from leaving the country. According to the State Department, a staffer with the Department of Commerce’s U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) is being barred from leaving China by Communist Party (CCP) officials in Beijing, along with a Wells Fargo banker who is normally based in the U.S. The USPTO employee has not been publicly identified.

“We can confirm that a U.S. Patent and Trademark Office employee, while traveling to China in a personal capacity, was made subject to an exit ban in China,” the State Department confirmed, adding: “We are tracking this case very closely and are engaged with Chinese officials to resolve the situation as quickly as possible.”

The U.S. federal government staffer has been unable to leave China since April 14 after Chinese authorities in the city of Chengdu seized their passport, electronic devices, and credit cards. Subsequently, the USPTO employee had their belongings released back to them on April 22, but was informed that they had to remain in China. Concerningly, the Chinese Foreign Ministry has said very little about the exit ban and addressed the matter only briefly during a press conference on Monday, stating that it “upholds the rule of law and handles entry and exit affairs in accordance with the law.”

In addition, the Chinese Foreign Ministry confirmed that it has barred Wells Fargo banker Mao Chenyue from leaving the country, claiming she is facing criminal charges. Chenyue, a U.S. citizen who was born in Shanghai, works as a managing director at Wells Fargo in Atlanta, Georgia. It remains unclear what charges Chenyue actually faces.

China does not recognize dual nationality, meaning individuals who were born in China or whose parents are of Chinese origin could be targeted by state security officials—especially if they are considered to be sympathetic to or involved with anti-CCP dissidents.

Notably, Chinese-British pro-democracy activist Jimmy Lai is currently being held by the CCP. The founder of the outspoken Apple Daily newspaper in Hong Kong is embroiled in a national security trial that could result in a life sentence. The charges include colluding with foreign forces, allegations widely criticized internationally as politically motivated.

Image by glaborde7.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 22, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Corruption

WATCH: ‘It’s Time to Go After People’ — Trump Wants Action Against Obama.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has accused former President Barack Obama and other former officials of “treason” over the Russiagate hoax.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, former President Barack Obama, Hillary Clinton, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper, current DNI Tulsi Gabbard, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

📍WHEN & WHERE: President Trump made the remarks during a meeting with the President of the Philippines, Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., on July 22.

💬KEY QUOTE: “After what they did to me, and whether it’s right or wrong, it’s time to go after people.” – President Trump

🎯IMPACT: The statement could spur Attorney General Pam Bondi to begin laying the groundwork for Obama and others to be prosecuted.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump leveled serious accusations against former President Barack Obama on July 22, calling him the orchestrator of a plot to subvert his 2016 election victory. During a bilateral meeting in the Oval Office with Filipino President Ferdinand “Bongbong” Marcos Jr., Trump responded to media questions on recently declassified documents suggesting that high-level officials from the Obama administration, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) Director John Brennan, and former Director of National Intelligence (DNI) James Clapper, conspired to create and manipulate the Trump-Russia investigation.

“After what they did to me, and whether it’s right or wrong, it’s time to go after people,” Trump said. “The witch hunt that you should be talking about is they caught President Obama absolutely cold… They tried to rig the election, and they got caught—and there should be very severe consequences for that,” he added.

In a separate post on Truth Social on Monday, Trump directly accused Obama of being the architect of the “Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX,” branding it “The CRIME of the CENTURY!”

“Obama himself manufactured the Russia, Russia, Russia HOAX. Crooked Hillary [Clinton], Sleepy Joe [Biden], and numerous others participated in this, THE CRIME OF THE CENTURY!. Irrefutable EVIDENCE. A major threat to our Country!!!” Trump wrote.

The America First leader also singled out several other prominent figures, including Hillary Clinton, former President Joe Biden, James Clapper, and James Comey, insisting they should face serious consequences for election interference.

“They tried to rig the election, and they got caught, and there should be very severe consequences,” he told reporters during the six-minute exchange.

Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard has reportedly referred Obama administration officials to the Department of Justice for attempting to undermine the results of the 2016 election. According to Gabbard, Obama directed intelligence agencies to fabricate an assessment on Russian election interference without supporting evidence.

Gabbard’s referral also accused the group of relying on discredited material, including content from the bogus Steele Dossier, which was partially funded by Clinton-aligned interests, to fuel the Russia narrative. That information, she claimed, was strategically leaked to corporate media outlets such as The Washington Post and The New York Times to drive public opinion and damage Trump’s credibility.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

Join Pulse+ to comment below, and receive exclusive e-mail analyses.

show less
show more
July 22, 2025
News

BREAKING: Ozzy Osbourne Dead at 76.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ozzy Osbourne, the iconic singer and reality TV star, passed away at 76.

IN FULL

Ozzy Osbourne, the legendary musician and reality TV personality, has died at the age of 76. Known for his role as the frontman of the band Black Sabbath, Osbourne’s career spanned decades and earned him a place in rock and roll history.

His impact on the music industry is undeniable. His career saw him release numerous hit albums and singles both as a solo artist and with Black Sabbath. Osbourne’s influence extended beyond music, as he became a pop culture icon through his reality TV show, “The Osbournes.”

“It is with more sadness than mere words can convey that we have to report that our beloved Ozzy Osbourne has passed away this morning. He was with his family and surrounded by love. We ask everyone to respect our family privacy at this time,” a statement from the family read.

The announcement of his passing has been met with an outpouring of tributes from fans and fellow musicians alike. Many have taken to social media to express their sorrow and share memories of the man affectionately known as the “Prince of Darkness.”

Throughout his career, Osbourne was known for his distinctive voice, theatrical stage presence, and larger-than-life persona. He leaves a legacy that will continue to inspire musicians and entertain fans for years.

Osbourne is survived by his wife, Sharon, and their children, Aimee, Kelly, and Jack.

show less
show more