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Thursday, March 5, 2026

Category: Politics
13 hours ago
News
Politics

Cornyn Camp Mocks, Belittles Wesley Hunt and His Voters.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF) attacked Representative Wesley Hunt (R-TX) after his third-place finish in the Texas Republican primary for Senator John Cornyn’s seat, potentially alienating Hunt’s supporters ahead of a May run-off between Cornyn and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham, Wesley Hunt, John Cornyn, Ken Paxton, and GOP fundraiser Caroline Wren.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: March 2026, Texas Republican primary race.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Congratulations to Wesley Hunt on an abysmal third place finish in Texas’ Republican primary.” – Alex Latcham

🎯IMPACT: The statement by the SLF, which is backing Cornyn, may drive Hunt and his hundreds of thousands of supporters to back Paxton in the run-off.

IN FULL

The Senate Leadership Fund (SLF), which is backing Republican-in-name-only (RINO) Senator John Cornyn in the primary race for his Texas seat, has taken a swipe at Wesley Hunt following his third-place finish in the first round of the contest. Observers believe this is likely to motivate Hunt and his supporters to back Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in his head-to-head run-off with Cornyn.

SLF Executive Director Alex Latcham issued a statement belittling Hunt and, by extension, his supporters, saying, “Congratulations to Wesley Hunt on an abysmal third place finish in Texas’ Republican primary. Instead of fighting for President Trump and conservative priorities, Wesley launched a career-ending vanity tour without any substance or political reasoning. While Wesley’s amateur consultants got wealthy on his senseless campaign, Republican voters are now forced to endure an even longer primary runoff election.”

Paxton and Cornyn appear to have finished the first round of the primary neck-and-neck, within roughly one percent of each other. Hunt, while significantly behind the pair, still boasted around 14 percent of the vote share with approaching 300,000 voters—who will likely decide the run-off.

Caroline Wren, a prominent GOP fundraiser, questioned the wisdom of Cornyn’s camp alienating Hunt and his supporters ahead of the run-off, writing on social media, “Politics is a game of addition. And SLF just told 200,000+ Wesley Hunt voters to fuck off.”

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13 hours ago
Politics

WATCH: GOP Senator Grills Kristi Noem Over $220M Taxpayer Ad Spend, Vendors.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism over a $220 million ad campaign.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Kristi Noem, Senator John Kennedy (R-LA), the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), and President Donald J. Trump.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The hearing took place on a Tuesday, March 3, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The President approved ahead of time you spending $220 million running TV ads across the country in which you feature prominently?” – Sen. John Kennedy

🎯IMPACT: The ad campaign raised questions about spending priorities and the bidding process.

IN FULL

Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem faced criticism from Senator John Kennedy (R-LA) during a hearing, as he questioned the effectiveness and intent of a $220 million ad campaign supposedly targeting illegal immigrants. Kennedy suggested the campaign was more about boosting Noem’s name recognition than promoting the Trump administration’s agenda.

“How do you square that concern for waste, which I share, with the fact that you have spent $220 million running television advertisements that feature you prominently?” Sen. Kennedy pressed during Sec. Noem’s appearance before the Senate Judiciary Committee on Tuesday. Noem responded, “Sir, the President tasked me with getting the message out to the country and to other countries, where we were seeing the invasion come from, with putting commercials out that told them that if they were in this country illegally, they needed to leave.”

“The President asked you to run these advertisements. Is that correct?” Kennedy continued, with Noem stating that President Donald J. Trump did. The DHS Secretary further stated that the contracts to produce the ads went out to a competitive bid. When pressed further about whether the contractors who produced the television ads had formerly worked for her political operation in South Dakota, Noem insisted they had not, but did not clearly answer whether their subcontractors had.

Sen. Kenney again circled back to whether President Trump had approved Noem spending $220 million on the advertisement campaign “in which you [Noem] feature prominently?” Again, Sec. Noem answered in the affirmative and insisted the television ads had been effective.

“They were effective in your name recognition… To me, it puts the President in a terribly awkward spot—and I’m not saying you’re not telling the truth, it’s just hard for me to believe, knowing the President as I do, that you said, ‘Mr. President, here’s some ads I’ve cut, and I’m gonna spend $220 million running them,’ that he would have agreed to that,” Sen. Kennedy responded, adding, “I don’t think Russ Vought would’ve agreed to that. It’s something we have to defend… It troubles me. A quarter of a billion in taxpayer money when we’re scratching for every penny.”

The Strategy Group, a firm with ties to Noem and Corey Lewandowski, acted as a subcontractor on the ad campaign for Safe America Media, LLC, the firm initially awarded the contract. Safe America Media, LLC was formed just days before receiving the contract, bypassing the usual competitive bidding process due to a national emergency declaration. The Strategy Group’s involvement has drawn further scrutiny as its CEO is married to former DHS Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs, Tricia McLaughlin.

Following Kennedy’s comments, McLaughlin responded in a post on X (formerly Twitter), stating, “[Sen. Kennedy], if you’re going to accuse someone of corruption, you better have your facts straight. No, my husband doesn’t own Safe America and is not apart of it. He nor his company have ever had a contract with DHS.”

WATCH HERE:

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March 3, 2026
Data
Politics

GOP Surges to Tie With Democrats as Midterms Approach.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll shows Republicans and Democrats tied in voter preference for congressional candidates, marking a significant improvement for the GOP.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The poll was conducted by the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard, the Harris Poll, and HarrisX.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The survey of 1,999 registered voters was conducted online between February 25 and 26.

🎯IMPACT: The poll reflects a surge in Republican support, with voters responding positively to the GOP’s messaging on crime, borders, and economic issues.

IN FULL

New data suggest the Democrat Party‘s lead on the generic congressional ballot, ahead of the 2026 midterm elections this coming fall, has been completely erased. According to the Center for American Political Studies at Harvard (CAPS), the Harris Poll, and HarrisX, who surveyed 1,999 registered voters online between February 25 and 26, 50 percent of respondents now say they’d vote for a generic Republican candidate, while 50 percent say they’d vote for a generic Democrat if the midterms were held today.

Last month, the same poll found that voters preferred a generic Democrat candidate to a generic Republican by 54 to 46 percent. Notably, the survey indicates that the Trump administration’s messaging on the economy, crime, border security, and illegal immigration is beginning to resonate with voters.

Further, the shift in generic ballot preference could reflect broader shifts in opinions on the U.S. economy, which has increasingly been showing signs of recovery from its stagnation under former President Joe Biden. Inflation has inched down, falling to just 2.4 percent in January.

When respondents were presented with a hypothetical GOP campaign message emphasizing government responsibility, closing borders, and lowering energy costs, 54 percent found it credible. In contrast, only 48 percent of respondents found a Democratic message promising free government services and student loan forgiveness believable.

Interestingly, 61 percent of respondents indicated they would be receptive to a Democrat campaign focused on opposing President Donald J. Trump, including messaging describing him as a “runaway dictator.” Despite this, Trump’s net approval rating improved slightly, rising from -6 last month to -3 this month, implying that the Democrats’ anti-Trump messaging does not resonate as well among independents or Republican voters.

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February 27, 2026
Politics

OOPS! Chris LaCivita Text Confirms Anti-Bannon Op Linked to His RINO Candidate Cornyn in Texas.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita, in a text message sent to POLITICO, appeared to inadvertently confirm that the recent push to discredit WarRoom host and former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon is tied to Senator John Cornyn’s (R-TX) primary reelection campaign.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chris LaCivita, Sen. John Cornyn, and Stephen K. Bannon.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The POLITICO story was published on Friday, February 27, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Associating with Senator Cornyn is better than being a lacky [sic] for Epstein.” — Chris LaCivita

🎯IMPACT: The text message suggests the recent anti-Bannon push by paid social media influencers is tied not just to LaCivita but to Cornyn’s reelection operation, as first reported by Raheem Kassam here.

IN FULL

Former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita, in a text message sent to POLITICO, appears to inadvertently confirm that the recent push to discredit WarRoom host and former White House Chief Strategist Stephen K. Bannon is tied to U.S. Senator John Cornyn‘s (R-TX) primary reelection campaign, as first reported by The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief Raheem J. Kassam, here.

“Associating with Senator Cornyn is better than being a lacky [sic] for Epstein,” LaCivita wrote to the leftist corporate media outlet after Bannon admonished former Trump campaign aides for involving themselves in the contentious Senate primary in Texas, despite President Donald J. Trump himself remaining neutral.

A mock-up of how the conversation with POLITICO may have gone. For illustrative (and humorous) purposes only.

LaCivita’s paid social media campaign sought to misrepresent Bannon’s efforts to get Epstein on the record for a documentary titled The Monsters, which he was producing alongside Victory Films. During the filming, Epstein claimed he was a supporter of the “Time’s Up” and “Me Too” movements, which Bannon called – to his face – “a sop” to excuse “all of the depravity you’ve done against young women.”

TEXAS.

“My belief is the Trump team should have stayed out of this race, absolutely,” Bannon said of the Texas primary race, in which Sen. Cornyn—a 24-year incumbent—is locked in a three-way battle with Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, a staunch Trump ally, and Congressman Wesley Hunt (R-TX). LaCivita serves as a senior advisor to the pro-Cornyn super PAC, Texans for a Conservative Majority, while pollster Tony Fabrizio is also working for the Cornyn campaign.

The text message—which misspells “lackey”—is revealing, suggesting that the recent anti-Bannon push by some pro-Trump social media figures is likely tied not just to LaCivita but to Cornyn’s reelection operation itself. Bannon has been making a strong case for voters to back Paxton over both Cornyn and Hunt, arguing, “The Paxton situation is critical, because he has been the MAGA guy since Day One. He is a symbol of the heart of the grassroots MAGA movement.”

Notably, early voting in the Texas Republican primary ends on February 27, while in-person voting on election day will occur on March 3, 2026. At the start of early voting last week, some polls showed Cornyn had fallen to third place in the race, a position that would eliminate him as a candidate should the primary contest move to a runoff.

The National Pulse reported on Thursday that Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) had announced his reelection campaign is also retaining LaCivita as a senior advisor. Last week, when The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam called out the anti-Bannon operation as the machinations of LaCivita, the former Trump campaign chief lashed out, falsely referring to Kassam as an “illegal immigrant,“ in an embarrassing display of uncontrolled anger.

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February 26, 2026
Crime
Politics

Hillary Dodges Epstein Questions, Points to Musk Email About ‘Wild’ Island Party.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Hillary Clinton testified in a closed-door session regarding her connections to deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, during which she accused Republicans of shielding President Donald J. Trump and referenced Elon Musk’s past email exchanges with Epstein.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hillary Clinton, Jeffrey Epstein, Elon Musk, House Oversight Committee members, and Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: February 26, 2026, at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center in Westchester County, New York.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers.” – Hillary Clinton

🎯IMPACT: Clinton’s testimony reignited scrutiny over Jeffrey Epstein’s connections to powerful figures, including allegations involving Donald Trump and Elon Musk, while raising questions about the committee’s investigative priorities.

IN FULL

Hillary Clinton appeared before the House Oversight Committee on Thursday to testify about her connections to Jeffrey Epstein. The closed-door session, held at the Chappaqua Performing Arts Center near her home in New York, saw Clinton repeatedly denying she had ever met Epstein, who supported the Clinton Foundation and lent it the use of his private jet, in person, while attempting to deflect allegations on others.

During the closed-door deposition, the former First Lady and wife of Epstein associate Bill Clinton, attempted to derail the questioning by pointing to an email exchange from 2012 in which Elon Musk asked Epstein about when to attend the “wildest party” on his private island. The National Pulse previously reported that in a November 25, 2012, email, Musk replied to a question from Epstein about how many people he planned to bring to the island, writing: “Probably just Talulah and me. What day/night will be the wildest party on =our [sic] island?” At that time, Musk was married to British actress Talulah Riley.

In a 2019 interview, Musk described Epstein as “obviously a creep” and said he repeatedly declined invitations to visit Epstein’s properties. However, the recently released Department of Justice (DOJ) files revealed cordial exchanges between the two men, including references to a potential SpaceX tour.

Clinton also accused Republicans of using the investigation to shield President J. Donald Trump, stating, “You have compelled me to testify, fully aware that I have no knowledge that would assist your investigation, in order to distract attention from President Trump’s actions and to cover them up despite legitimate calls for answers.”

Notably, the session was briefly disrupted when Representative Lauren Boebert (R-CO) took a photograph of Clinton, which was subsequently leaked online. Attorneys for Clinton demanded that the proceedings be halted, but the deposition resumed within an hour.

The Clintons initially resisted the subpoena to testify but agreed after being threatened with contempt charges. The committee, led by Republican lawmakers, has indicated it will release deposition videos and transcripts following legal review. Bill Clinton is expected to testify on Friday, with flight logs and photographs linking him to Epstein’s travels and multiple events.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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February 26, 2026
Politics

Chris LaCivita Picks Up Another Client Trump Refused to Endorse in the Primary.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) announced on Thursday that he has hired former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita as a senior advisor.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Brad Little, Chris LaCivita, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Thursday, February 26. 2026.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “I’m excited to announce that [Chris LaCivita] has joined my re-election campaign as senior advisor.” — Brad Little

🎯IMPACT: Notably, Gov. Little was not endorsed by President Donald Trump during his 2021 primary run, with the America First leader instead backing then-Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin (R-ID).

IN FULL

Idaho Governor Brad Little (R) announced on Thursday that he has hired former Trump campaign chief and Republican National Committee (RNC) Chief Operating Officer (COO) Chris LaCivita as a senior advisor. Notably, LaCivita—who has recently attacked a number of President Donald J. Trump’s long-time supporters, including calling the Editor-in-Chief of The National Pulse an “illegal immigrant“—is also serving as a senior advisor to Senator John Cornyn‘s (R-TX) re-election campaign. Despite pro-Cornyn campaign groups spending millions on the U.S. Senate primary race in Texas, the anti-Trump incumbent has fallen to a distant second place—and even third place—in most polls ahead of the March 3 primary.

“I’m excited to announce that [Chris LaCivita] has joined my re-election campaign as senior advisor,” Little wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). Notably, Gov. Little was not endorsed by President Donald J. Trump during his 2021 primary run, with the America First leader instead backing then-Lt. Gov. Janice McGeachin (R-ID). However, late last year, Trump did back Little’s re-election bid.

The National Pulse reported last week that LaCivita abandoned a major defamation lawsuit against the left-wing Daily Beast after the outlet published a stunning report about him gouging nearly $20M from the campaign’s coffers. “The consulting firm of Donald Trump’s White House campaign’s co-manager has raked in $19.2 million and counting from the Republican nominee’s political operation in just two years,” the Beast reported in late 2024.

The Daily Beast did not retract or even have to change any part of its story. It also offered no apology or cash payment, both of which are common in settlements.

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February 25, 2026
Crime
Politics

Ilhan Omar’s Guest Was Arrested at Trump’s State of the Union, Here’s Why:

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A guest of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN) was arrested by Capitol Police during President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening for unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Ilhan Omar, her guest Aliya Rahman, Capitol Police, and President Trump.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: During the State of the Union address at the U.S. Capitol on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It is illegal to disrupt the Congress and demonstrate in the Congressional Buildings.” – Capitol Police statement.

🎯IMPACT: Rahman was previously arrested last month after refusing lawful orders from federal immigration agents to move her vehicle in an apparent attempt to interfere with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation.

IN FULL

Aliya Rahman, a guest of Representative Ilhan Omar (D-MN), was arrested by Capitol Police during President Donald J. Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday evening for alleged unlawful conduct and disruption of Congress. Rahman, a Minneapolis, Minnesota resident, had been invited by Omar following her detention last month after refusing lawful orders from federal immigration agents to move her vehicle, in an apparent attempt to interfere with a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operation.

At the time, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) stated that Rahman “ignored multiple commands by an officer to move her vehicle away from the scene.” She was arrested along with six other alleged anti-ICE agitators, though Rahman insists she was actually en route to a medical appointment.

During the State of the Union address, Rahman was standing silently when officers asked her to sit down, which she refused, according to police. The Capitol Police stated, “The guest was told to sit down, but refused to obey our lawful orders. It is illegal to disrupt the Congress and demonstrate in the Congressional Buildings.” Rahman was arrested and charged with unlawful conduct. She was later taken to George Washington University Hospital for treatment after allegedly sustaining injuries during the arrest.

Following her arrest on Tuesday, Rahman claimed she was not demonstrating but merely standing silently. “No buttons, no facial expressions, no gestures, no signs, not one sound,” she said. She added that she stood up when President Trump made remarks she described as “some of the most racist things I have heard come out of any leader’s mouth about the people of my city.”

Rep. Omar has called for an investigation into the arrest, stating that Rahman was “forcibly removed” despite warning officers about her injured shoulders. Omar said, “The heavy-handed response to a peaceful guest sends a chilling message about the state of our democracy.” However, the Capitol Police emphasized that all State of the Union tickets explicitly prohibit demonstrations, and Rahman’s actions were considered a violation of those rules.

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February 24, 2026
News
Politics

Congressman Refuses to Resign Amid Allegations of Affair With Staffer Who Burned Herself Alive.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) is facing accusations of an affair with an aide who later died by suicide. Despite the release of explicit text messages allegedly exchanged between the two, the GOP lawmaker is refusing calls to resign.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Tony Gonzales, former aide Regina Aviles, and several GOP lawmakers, including Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Nancy Mace (R-SC).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Aviles died by suicide in September 2025, with the rumored affair exposed a month later. The allegations have become a central issue in the Texas Republican primary, which began early voting on February 17, 2026.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “I will not resign. I work every day for the people of Texas. And there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts that come out.” – Tony Gonzales

🎯IMPACT: The scandal has intensified scrutiny on Gonzales ahead of his primary election and prompted calls for his resignation from fellow GOP lawmakers.

IN FULL

Representative Tony Gonzales (R-TX) declared on Tuesday that he will not resign amid allegations of an affair with his former aide, Regina Aviles, who died by suicide in September 2025. Gonzales, who is married with six children, has faced mounting pressure from fellow Republican lawmakers to step down, following the release of explicit text messages allegedly exchanged between him and Aviles.

“I will not resign. I work every day for the people of Texas. And there will be an opportunity for all the details and facts that come out. What you’ve seen is not all the facts,” Gonzales said on Capitol Hill after being turned away by staff in House Speaker Mike Johnson‘s (R-LA) office.

The alleged affair reportedly began in 2024, with text messages showing Gonzales pressuring Aviles for explicit photos and making sexual comments. In one exchange, Gonzales asked Aviles for a “sexy pic” and later inquired about her favorite sexual positions. Aviles, who had been his regional district director in Uvalde since 2021, reportedly confided in a friend about the affair, sharing text messages and expressing concern that her husband would discover the relationship.

Subsequently, Aviles’s husband reportedly discovered the affair in July 2025, leading to their separation and her subsequent depression. Aviles took her own life in September 2025 after dousing herself with gasoline and setting herself on fire. Her death was ruled a suicide, with an autopsy revealing she was intoxicated at the time.

Meanwhile, Gonzales has denied the allegations, calling earlier reports “untruthful,” but has not directly addressed the newly surfaced text messages—fellow GOP lawmakers, including Reps. Chip Roy (R-TX), Rep. Lauren Boebert (R-CO), and Rep. Nancy Mace (R-SC) have publicly called for Gonzales to step down. The revelations have cast a shadow over Gonzales’s re-election campaign, as he faces a primary challenge from Second Amendment activist and firearm manufacturer Brandon Herrera. Early voting for the Republican primary in Texas began on February 17, with the primary election set for March 3.

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February 24, 2026
Politics
World

France Denies U.S. Ambassador Government Access Following Summons No-Show.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: France summoned U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner over comments made by the Trump administration regarding the murder of conservative Catholic student Quentin DĂ©ranque, which France found objectionable. Kushner did not attend the meeting, and his government access has now been restricted.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, and the Trump administration.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Events unfolded in Paris, France, with a summons issued Monday evening and responses on Tuesday.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “It will, naturally, affect his capacity to exercise his mission in our country.” – Jean-NoĂ«l Barrot

🎯IMPACT: Kushner’s access to French officials has been suspended until he complies with the summons.

IN FULL

France’s Foreign Ministry summoned U.S. Ambassador Charles Kushner on Monday evening over comments made by the Trump administration regarding the murder of conservative Catholic student Quentin DĂ©ranque. French officials stated that Kushner did not attend the meeting, leading to criticism from French Foreign Minister Jean-NoĂ«l Barrot.

Barrot described Kushner’s absence as “a surprise” and said it violated diplomatic protocol. “It will, naturally, affect his capacity to exercise his mission in our country,” Barrot stated. He emphasized that an ambassador must have access to government officials to effectively perform their duties.

The U.S. Embassy in Paris has not commented on the matter despite requests from the media. Kushner’s access to French government officials will remain suspended until he complies with the summons, according to Barrot. “When these explanations have taken place, then the U.S. ambassador in France will, naturally, regain access to members of the French government,” he added.

The summons was prompted by a statement from the U.S. State Department‘s Counterterrorism Bureau, which highlighted the role of “violent radical leftism” in Deranque’s killing. “Reports, corroborated by the French Minister of the Interior, that Quentin Deranque was killed by left-wing militants, should concern us all. Violent radical leftism is on the rise and its role in Quentin Deranque’s death demonstrates the threat it poses to public safety. We will continue to monitor the situation and expect to see the perpetrators of violence brought to justice,” it said.

The U.S. Embassy in Paris posted the same statement in French, drawing objections from French officials who viewed it as interference in domestic matters. “We don’t accept that foreign countries can come and interfere, invite themselves, into the national political debate,” Barrot complained.

Déranque was providing informal protection for a protest organized by the right-wing feminist group Collectif Némésis outside Sciences Po Lyon, where a lecture by far-left Member of the European Parliament (MEP) Rima Hassan of La France Insoumise (France Unbowed/LFI) was taking place. The National Pulse reported earlier this month that French authorities had arrested four people in connection with the killing of Déranque, who died after suffering severe brain injuries.

According to local reporting, those detained include Jacques-Élie Favrot, a parliamentary assistant to radical leftist legislator Raphaël Arnault, and Adrian Besseyre, a former intern for Arnault.

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February 24, 2026
Politics

At Least Three Dozen Democrats Plan to Skip Trump’s State of the Union Address.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Dozens of Democrats are boycotting the State of the Union, opting for counter-programming instead of direct protests.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Democrat lawmakers including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY), Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), and others, as well as Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) and Sen. Ruben Gallego (D-AZ).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The State of the Union address on Tuesday, with counter-programming events taking place on the National Mall and at the National Press Club.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “If Trump will not honor the American people, then the people should turn off his remarks and turn toward each other—toward their neighbors, their communities, and the real power of this country,” said Sen. Ed Markey.

🎯IMPACT: The move, while framed by congressional Democrats as an embrace of so-called counter-programming events, appears to be an effort to prevent more radical lawmakers from engaging in performative protests that could alienate voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections

IN FULL

Around three dozen Democrats have announced plans to boycott the State of the Union on Tuesday. The move, while framed by congressional Democrats as an embrace of so-called counter-programming events, appears to be an effort to prevent more radical lawmakers from engaging in performative protests that could alienate voters ahead of the 2026 midterm elections. Last year, Representative Al Green (D-TX) was removed from a joint session of Congress and later censured by the House for heckling President Donald J. Trump during an address to lawmakers.

“The two options that are in front of us in our House is to either attend with silent defiance or to not attend, and send a message to Donald Trump in that fashion,” House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) said during a news conference last week. Notably, a number of Democrat lawmakers are promoting an event dubbed “People’s State of the Union” on the National Mall—hosted by tthe highly controversial MeidasTouch organization and MoveOn—which will feature Sens. Ed Markey (D-MA), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Ruben Gallego (D-AZ), and Chris Murphy (D-CT), as well as Reps. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA) and Greg Casar (D-TX).

Democrats hope to use their counter-programming events to draw media attention away from President Trump’s State of the Union address. According to Sen. Markey, “If Trump will not honor the American people, then the people should turn off his remarks and turn toward each other – toward their neighbors, their communities, and the real power of this country.”

Another group of Democrat lawmakers are slated to host a “State of the Swamp” event earlier in the evening on Tuesday at the National Press Club, which will feature Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR), and Reps. Seth Moulton (D-MA) and Dan Goldman (D-NY). Other prominent leftist lawmakers like Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) are opting to skip the State of the Union without appearing at any of the Democratic Party’s counter-programming events.

President Trump is expected to focus his address on his administration’s headway in tackling the inflation crisis caused by the former Biden government, as well as plummeting violent crime, policies addressing affordability, and efforts to remove illegal immigrants from the United States.

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