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Friday, December 19, 2025

Category: Politics
October 2, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Trump Meeting With Project 2025 Veteran to Slash ‘Democrat Agencies.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced he will meet with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought on Thursday to determine what federal agencies will face funding cuts amid the ongoing Democrat-engineered government shutdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, OMB Director Russell Vought, and Senate Democrats.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The meeting will occur in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, October 2, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent.” —  President Trump

🎯IMPACT: Trump contends that Democrat obstruction on Capitol Hill has given him an “unprecedented opportunity” to unilaterally cut wasteful spending

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump announced he will meet with Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Director Russell Vought on Thursday to determine what federal agencies will face funding cuts amid the ongoing Democrat-engineered government shutdown. The America First leader, in a post on Truth Social, emphasized that Democrat obstruction on Capitol Hill has given him an “unprecedented opportunity” to unilaterally cut wasteful spending.

“I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent,” President Trump wrote Thursday morning. “I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity. They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

Senate Democrats have blocked several attempts to bring a Republican-backed stopgap funding measure to the floor, causing government funding to lapse on October 1, the start of the 2026 fiscal year.

The Trump White House has already begun to halt federal funding for a number of programs, along with furloughing nonessential government workers. On Wednesday, Vought announced the administration will cancel $8 billion in green agenda projects across 16 states in light of the ongoing government shutdown.

An additional $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York City was paused as the ongoing shutdown is preventing the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) from completing a review of the projects to ensure they’re in compliance with President Trump’s Executive Order barring the federal funding of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs.

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October 1, 2025
Economy
Politics

Trump Opens Public Lands, Allocates $625 Million to Revive U.S. Coal Industry.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration announced plans to open 13.1 million acres of public land for coal mining and allocate $625 million to coal-fired power plants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Department of the Interior, Department of Energy, Environmental Protection Agency, and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on September 30, 2025, during a livestreamed press conference.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It matters to the world, and it’s going to continue to matter for a long time.” – Doug Burgum

🎯IMPACT: The initiative aims to revive the coal sector after decades of decline.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has announced a major initiative to open 13.1 million acres of public land for coal mining while investing $625 million in coal-fired power plants. The plan, unveiled by the Departments of the Interior, Energy, and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), is aimed at revitalizing and supporting the coal industry amid its decades-long decline.

Interior Secretary Doug Burgum emphasized the importance of the coal sector, stating during a livestreamed press conference, “It matters to the world, and it’s going to continue to matter for a long time.” The administration’s funding includes $350 million for modernizing coal plants, $175 million for rural energy projects, and $50 million for upgrading wastewater systems to extend plant lifespans.

The coal industry has faced significant challenges in recent years, with production halving between 2008 and 2023, according to the Energy Information Administration. Coal plants provided 15 percent of U.S. electricity in 2024, down sharply from 50 percent in 2000, as natural gas and other sources have gained ground.

The Trump administration has prioritized coal as part of its broader energy strategy, citing the need for reliable energy sources in an era of increasing demand driven by artificial intelligence (AI) data centers. The latest measures follow previous efforts to extend coal plant operations and ease regulatory burdens on the industry.

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October 1, 2025
Politics

Trump Admin Halts $8BN in Green Agenda Funding Amid Govt Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration announced the cancellation of $8 billion in climate-related projects across 16 states.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russ Vought, head of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and the Department of Energy.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced Wednesday, affecting projects in California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Nearly $8 billion in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda is being cancelled.” – Russ Vought

🎯IMPACT: Projects in 16 states, mostly governed by Democrats, are affected; additional reviews of New York infrastructure projects are underway.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has announced it will cancel $8 billion in green agenda projects across 16 states in light of the ongoing government shutdown due to Senate Democrats blocking the passage of a short-term funding measure. Russ Vought, head of the federal government’s Office of Management and Budget (OMB), made the announcement on social media, stating that the Department of Energy would provide further details.

The affected projects are located in states that voted for former Vice President Kamala Harris in the 2024 presidential election. All 16 states are represented by Democratic senators, with 14 of the states governed by Democrats and two by Republicans. The states are California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, Vermont, and Washington.

“Nearly $8 billion in Green New Scam funding to fuel the Left’s climate agenda is being cancelled,” Vought wrote on X (formerly Twitter). This announcement follows the administration’s recent decision to pause $18 billion worth of infrastructure projects in New York City, including the Hudson Tunnel and Second Avenue Subway, due to concerns over funding tied to diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) ideology.

The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) stated that the New York projects are under administrative review to determine whether any unconstitutional practices are occurring. The review process has been delayed due to the ongoing government shutdown, which has resulted in furloughs for the civil rights staff responsible for these assessments.

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October 1, 2025
Politics

Kash Patel Ends FBI Collaboration with Far-Left Anti-Defamation League.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau is cutting ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a relationship forged under indicted former FBI Director James Comey.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FBI Director Kash Patel, former FBI Director James Comey, the Anti-Defamation League, Elon Musk, Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL), and the late Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA (TPUSA) organization.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement follows recent backlash against the ADL for its controversial glossary of “extremist” groups, which included TPUSA.

💬KEY QUOTE: “James Comey disgraced the FBI by writing ‘love letters’ to the ADL and embedding agents with an extreme group functioning like a terrorist organization and the disgraceful operation they ran spying on Americans. That was not law enforcement, it was activism dressed up as counterterrorism, and it put Americans in danger,” said Patel.

🎯IMPACT: The FBI’s decision marks a significant shift in policy, distancing itself from the ADL amid widespread criticism of its bias against conservatives.

IN FULL

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel has announced that the bureau will sever ties with the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), a relationship established under former FBI Director James Comey. Patel criticized Comey’s tenure, stating, “James Comey disgraced the FBI by writing ‘love letters’ to the ADL and embedding agents with an extreme group functioning like a terrorist organization and the disgraceful operation they ran spying on Americans.”

Comey had previously declared his “love” for the ADL during a 2017 speech at the organization’s National Leadership Summit in Washington, D.C., where he referred to a 2014 address as a “love letter to the ADL” and reaffirmed that the FBI was “still in love” with the group. He praised the ADL for its advocacy and partnership with the FBI, concluding the speech with the words, “Love, the FBI.”

The ADL has recently faced significant backlash for its controversial “Glossary of Extremism and Hate,” which included conservative organizations like Turning Point USA (TPUSA), founded and led by assassinated conservative organizer Charlie Kirk. Meanwhile, the ADL defended Antifa, recently designated as a domestic terrorist organization, insisting violence was not “the norm” for the movement.

Following criticism from figures such as Elon Musk and Republican lawmakers, the ADL removed the glossary, citing outdated entries and claiming they were victims of misrepresentation.

Elon Musk called the ADL “a hate group” in response to its classification of TPUSA, while Rep. Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) questioned the organization’s motives, stating, “Seems to me like if they don’t agree with you, they will label you a ‘hate group.’”

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October 1, 2025
Crime
Politics

This Insurance Giant Could Soon Face a Federal Probe Over DEI Policies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Insurance giant Chubb is facing calls for a federal investigation into its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and other practices over alleged violations of anti-discrimination laws and a Trump Executive Order.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chubb, Consumers’ Research, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The campaign was launched on Wednesday, with Chubb being a globally operating American-Swiss insurance conglomerate listed on the New York Stock Exchange.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Chubb’s practices run counter not only to the colorblind policies of this administration, but very likely, to the Civil Rights Act and other federal anti-discrimination laws as well.” – Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild

🎯IMPACT: Consumers’ Research has launched a nationwide campaign, including ads, billboards, and a website, to draw attention to Chubb’s policies and urge federal action.

IN FULL

American-Swiss insurance conglomerate Chubb could soon be subject to federal scrutiny over its diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and other practices. Consumers’ Research, a consumer protection watchdog group, is petitioning the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) and the Treasury Department to launch a probe into the insurance giant, alleging that Chubb’s policies may violate President Donald J. Trump’s Executive Order prohibiting DEI programs and federal anti-discrimination laws.

Chubb, the world’s largest publicly traded property and casualty insurance company, is listed on the New York Stock Exchange and part of Lloyds of London. Consumers’ Research, a nonprofit watchdog group, launched its campaign on Wednesday, labeling Chubb the “wokest insurance company” and urging the DOJ to investigate.

In a letter to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Consumers’ Research Executive Director Will Hild stated, “Chubb’s practices run counter not only to the colorblind policies of this administration, but very likely, to the Civil Rights Act and other federal anti-discrimination laws as well.” Hild also criticized Chubb’s DEI-driven philanthropic initiatives, such as the Chubb Rule of Law Fund and the Chubb Charitable Foundation.

Trump’s Executive Order—effectively barring the federal government from doing business with any companies that implement diversity quotas, affirmative action mandates, and other DEI-style policies—has resulted in numerous major U.S. corporations scrapping discriminatory programs. After Trump signed the order in January, Deloitte—a member of The Big Four accounting firms—notified its employees through a firm-wide e-mail that it would be ending its DEI initiatives.

Notably, The National Pulse reported in September that the House Oversight Committee is broadening its investigation into potential discrimination by insurance companies and financial institutions against individuals and entities with right-leaning political views. The probe also examines whether retirees’ pension accounts are being used to fund progressive policies without their consent.

Image by Tony Webster.

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October 1, 2025
Politics

Government Website Accuses ‘Radical Left in Congress’ of Forcing Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updated its website with a banner blaming the “Radical Left in Congress” for the government shutdown.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: HUD, the Senate, and members of Congress, specifically Democrats refusing to agree to a funding deal.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The banner appeared on HUD’s website on Wednesday morning following the Senate’s failure to pass a funding resolution on Tuesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government. HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need.” — HUD website

🎯IMPACT: The banner is part of a broader Trump White House campaign to inform Americans of the Democratic Party’s responsibility for the government shutdown and its effects on federal agencies.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) website prominently displayed a red banner on Wednesday morning, accusing the “Radical Left in Congress” of causing the federal government shutdown. Visitors to the HUD website encountered a pop-up message and a banner stating, “The Radical Left in Congress shut down the government. HUD will use available resources to help Americans in need.”

The message followed the Senate Democrats’ refusal to pass a continuing funding resolution on Tuesday, which led to the government shutdown at the start of Wednesday. Senate Democrats had pressed for a deal in exchange for the seven votes needed to overcome the chamber’s 60-vote procedural threshold, demanding the funding bill include an extension of Obamacare tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Millions of Americans rely on these credits to lower healthcare costs. Republicans, however, argue that extending the credits would lead to increased taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.

Notably, the HUD website had displayed similar messaging before the shutdown was finalized. On Tuesday, the website warned that the “Radical Left” would “inflict massive pain on the American people” if their demands were not met. Additionally, HUD’s website mirrored an email issued by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to at least 16 federal agencies earlier that day, which also blamed Democrats for the shutdown.

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October 1, 2025
Politics
UK

UK Govt Slashes Farage’s Security Funding Amid Rise in Political Violence.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Reform Party leader Nigel Farage’s taxpayer-funded security has reportedly been reduced by 75 percent in the past two weeks.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Nigel Farage, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, and Zia Yusuf, Reform’s head of policy.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Reform reporting the funding cut on Wednesday, October 1, 2025, in the United Kingdom.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The parliamentary security department made the ‘inexplicable’ decision to downgrade Farage’s protection.” – Zia Yusuf

🎯IMPACT: Donors have reportedly stepped in to fund Farage’s security following the alleged cuts, which come amid the ongoing fallout from conservative youth organizer Charlie Kirk’s assassination in the U.S.

IN FULL

Nigel Farage’s Reform Party has reported that his taxpayer-funded security detail has been reduced by 75 percent in recent weeks, despite the recent assassination of conservative yoth organizer Charlie Kirk in the United States and a rising threat of political violence. Zia Yusuf, Reform’s head of policy, described the move as “inexplicable” and noted that it came just days after Farage accused Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer of “inciting violence” by calling one of Reform’s immigration policies “racist.”

Yusuf said private donors have since stepped in to cover the costs of Farage’s protection. “I want to be clear to Reform supporters: Thankfully, we have had generous donors step in to shore up that security, so I can assure you Nigel is safe and he is well protected, but that places into context this hideous campaign of incitement to violence against the man who is bookmaker’s favourite to be the next Prime Minister,” he said.

He accused the governing Labour Party‘s leadership of leading a coordinated attack on Farage, citing comments from 11 Cabinet ministers. “The Home Secretary called him ‘worse than racist.’ The Deputy Prime Minister accused him of ‘flirting with Nazism.’ If anything happens to Nigel, I will hold the Prime Minister responsible,” Yusuf said.

He also referenced threats made against Farage online, including on TikTok and X, and recalled personally witnessing attempts to attack him during campaign events. Leftists have on several occasions thrown milkshakes and even cement at the populist leader, while illegal immigrants have issued recorded death threats against him.

The Labour-controlled House of Commons declined to comment on specific security arrangements, claiming decisions are made based on professional risk assessments and are kept confidential to avoid compromising safety.

The security row comes at a time when Farage and Reform are experiencing a significant surge in public support. According to a recent Ipsos poll conducted between 11 and 17 September 2025, Reform leads national voting intention with 34 percent, ahead of Labour at 22 percent and the formerly governing Conservatives at just 14 percent, the lowest share ever recorded for the party by Ipsos.

The same poll reveals deep public dissatisfaction with the current Labour leadership. Only 13 percent of respondents said they were satisfied with Starmer’s performance as Prime Minister, while 79 percent expressed dissatisfaction.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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October 1, 2025
Politics

Trump Halts $18BN in NYC Funding Over DEI Policies.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has frozen approximately $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York City projects, citing concerns over unconstitutional diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russell Vought, Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), and New York City officials.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announced on October 1, 2025, from Washington, D.C., impacting New York City infrastructure projects.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing based on unconstitutional DEI principles,” said Vought.

🎯IMPACT: The funding freeze affects the Hudson River Tunnel Project and the Second Avenue Subway project, with further updates expected from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

IN FULL

Russell Vought, Director of the U.S. Office of Management and Budget (OMB), announced on Wednesday that the Trump administration has frozen approximately $18 billion in infrastructure funding for New York City. The decision was made to ensure that funding is not distributed based on what Vought described as “unconstitutional DEI principles.”

The funding freeze affects major projects such as the Hudson River Tunnel Project and the Second Avenue Subway project. Vought made the announcement via posts on social media platform X (formerly Twitter).

“Roughly $18 billion in New York City infrastructure projects have been put on hold to ensure funding is not flowing based on unconstitutional DEI principles,” Vought wrote. He indicated that more information would be forthcoming from the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT).

The announcement coincided with the first day of a U.S. government shutdown after Democrats in Congress refused to pass stopgap funding bills. However, Vought clarified that the funding freeze is unrelated to the government shutdown.

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October 1, 2025
News
Politics

GOP Closes Gap With Dems in Tight NJ Governor’s Race.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A new poll shows a tight race between Jack Ciattarelli (R) and Mikie Sherrill (D) for New Jersey governor.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jack Ciattarelli, Republican candidate, and Mikie Sherrill, Democratic candidate.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The poll was released in New Jersey, October 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Voters across the board want a change (76%).” – Quantus Insights Poll

🎯IMPACT: The race is now considered a dead heat, with significant gains by Ciattarelli among Independent voters.

IN FULL

Republican candidate Jack Ciattarelli is now running neck and neck with Democrat Rep. Mikie Sherrill in the New Jersey gubernatorial race, according to a new poll. The Quantus Insights Poll shows Sherrill narrowly leading Ciattarelli 48.1 percent to 45.8 percent among likely voters, a margin within the poll’s error range.

This marks a significant shift from earlier surveys, including a Labor Day poll where Sherrill held a 10-point lead. Ciattarelli’s recent surge is attributed to his strong performance among Independent voters, where he leads 51 percent to 38 percent.

For much of the campaign, Sherrill maintained a comfortable lead over Ciattarelli. However, recent polling has indicated a tightening race, now considered a dead heat. She has been hurt in part by a scandal related to cheating at the U.S. Naval Academy, which saw her barred from walking with her classmates at her graduation.

Sherrill’s advantage has decreased to a 4.7 percentage point lead in the latest RealClearPolitics polling aggregate. Notably, this aggregate underestimated Ciattarelli’s support by about five points in the 2021 election.

Joe Biden officially won New Jersey by 16 points in 2020, but by only six points in 2024—one of the biggest improvements for President Donald J. Trump nationwide.

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October 1, 2025
William Upton
Politics

Senate Democrats Have Forced a Government Shutdown.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Much of the federal government shut down after Congress failed to reach a temporary funding deal before the midnight deadline.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Members of Congress and federal government agencies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shutdown began on Wednesday at midnight, affecting federal operations nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Far Left faction of Senate Democrats shut down the government because we wouldn’t give them hundreds of billions of dollars for healthcare benefits for illegal aliens. It’s craziness—and people are going to suffer because of it.” — Vice President J.D. Vance

🎯IMPACT: Government services and programs have been halted, affecting millions of Americans.

IN FULL

Much of the federal government shut down on Wednesday after Congress failed to reach a deal to keep government programs and services running before the midnight deadline. The inability to pass a funding bill has led to a significant disruption in government operations, with federal agencies forced to suspend services and furlough employees.

Senate Democrats blocked an eleventh-hour short-term funding bill that would have averted the shutdown late Tuesday, insisting the legislation include an extension of Obamacare tax credits, which are set to expire at the end of the year. Millions of Americans rely on these credits to lower healthcare costs. Republicans, however, argue that extending the credits would lead to increased taxpayer-funded healthcare for illegal immigrants.

“The Far Left faction of Senate Democrats shut down the government because we wouldn’t give them hundreds of billions of dollars for health care benefits for illegal aliens,” Vice President J.D. Vance said Wednesday morning, adding: “It’s craziness—and people are going to suffer because of it.”

Vance also warned that air traffic controllers are “no longer getting paid” due to the Democrats’ intransigence.


Notably, the Republican-backed funding bill only fell five votes short of passage in the Senate, with Sens. John Fetterman (D-PA) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) voting for the measure. The funding bill was also backed by Sen. Angus King (I-ME).

Sen. Rand Paul (R-KY) voted against the legislation with the bulk of the Senate Democrats.

Image by Victoria Pickering.

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