Thursday, March 12, 2026

Third Biden Aide Invokes Fifth Amendment in Cognitive Decline Probe.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Annie Tomasini, a senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to former President Joe Biden, invoked the Fifth Amendment during a House Oversight deposition regarding Biden’s cognitive decline.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Annie Tomasini, House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY), and other Biden aides who also pleaded the Fifth.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The closed-door deposition occurred during the House Oversight Committee’s investigation on July 18, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy,” said Rep. James Comer.

🎯IMPACT: Tomasini is the third senior Biden White House aide to plead the Fifth, raising further questions about the former presidential administration’s transparency regarding the octogenarian Biden’s health and whether he knew decisions were being authorized via autopen in his name.

IN FULL

Annie Tomasini, a senior advisor and deputy chief of staff to former President Joe Biden, pleaded the Fifth Amendment during a closed-door deposition, according to House Oversight Chairman James Comer (R-KY). The former senior Biden White House aide had initially agreed to voluntarily participate in the deposition, but her attorney later reversed course and requested that the committee issue a subpoena. The deposition was slated to focus on Biden’s mental decline and allegations that presidential directives—including pardons—were issued without his knowledge.

“There is now a pattern of key Biden confidants seeking to shield themselves from criminal liability for this potential conspiracy,” Chairman Comer stated on X (formerly Twitter). Tomasini reportedly refused to answer questions about whether Biden or anyone at the White House instructed her to lie about his health, handle classified documents, or conceal information about Biden family business dealings.

Tomasini is the third Biden aide to invoke the Fifth Amendment in this investigation. The former chief of staff to former First Lady Jill Biden, Anthony Bernal, and former Biden White House physician Kevin O’Connor also declined to answer questions under oath earlier this month. The National Pulse has previously reported that Bernal and Tomasini comprised a “politburo” of aides who controlled the Biden White House and formed a protective bubble around Joe Biden.

Comer initially issued a subpoena to Tomasini, accusing her of “running interference” for Biden as concerns about his mental state grew. Notably, ousted Democratic National Committee (DNC) Vice Chairman David Hogg and Biden-era White House staffer Deterrian Jones were caught in a secret recording discussing the outsized influence of the cadre of senior White House aides, especially Tomasini and Bernal.

“The bigger issue was, like, the inner circle that was around Biden,” Hogg said, adding: “Like, Jill Biden’s chief of staff had an enormous amount of power.” Jones went on to describe Bernal, specifically, as a “scary… shadowy, Wizard of Oz type figure.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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Federal Govt Slashed by Over 22,000 Across D.C., MD, and VA.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The total federal workforce in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has been reduced by an estimated 22,000 employees, according to data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, and federal workers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The central bank study was released on Thursday, July 17, and covers the period between January and May 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “On net, federal employment in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia has declined by roughly 22,100 positions,” the bank stated.

🎯IMPACT: Maryland has seen a 5.4 percent decrease in federal employment. Virginia has seen a 4.8 percent decline, but the District of Columbia has only seen a 1.9 percent drop.

IN FULL

New data released by the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond reveals the total federal workforce in the greater Washington, D.C. metropolitan area has been reduced by an estimated 22,000 employees. The U.S. central bank’s Richmond branch suggests the number of federal workers being laid off will continue to increase in the foreseeable future.

Notably, federal government employment comprises a significant portion of the total employment in Maryland (5.4 percent), Virginia (4.4 percent), and Washington, D.C. (24.6 percent). As a result of workforce reduction initiatives implemented by President Donald J. Trump, including some cuts enacted by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), Maryland has seen a 5.4 percent decrease in federal employment. Meanwhile, Virginia has seen a 4.8 percent decline, though the District of Columbia has only seen a 1.9 percent drop.

“There is evidence that the attempt to shrink the federal workforce is having an impact on the DMV region of the Fifth District,” the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond study states, concluding: “On net, federal employment in D.C., Maryland, and Virginia has declined by roughly 22,100 positions, and there has been a sustained increase in unemployment claims, particularly in D.C. proper.”

The number of federal layoffs is likely to increase exponentially after the U.S. Supreme Court lifted a lower court order that previously blocked the Trump administration from cutting workforces across 19 federal departments and agencies. Only one justice dissented, suggesting that Trump will ultimately prevail in a final ruling by the high court.

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This U.S. Territory Just Banned Sex Changes for Under-21s.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Sex change surgeries for people under 21 have been banned in the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, and the use of public funds for such procedures has been prohibited.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Governor Jenniffer González-Colón (R), Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz (R), and the Puerto Rico LGBTQ+ Federation.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill was signed into law on Wednesday and will take effect in October.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The protection of our children and the well-being of all minors is fundamental and non-negotiable!” — Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz

🎯IMPACT: Sex change medics face fines, prison time, and license revocation for violations, but the law’s constitutionality is set to be challenged in court.

IN FULL

Puerto Rico has enacted a law banning sex change surgeries for people under the age of 21 and prohibiting the use of public funds for such procedures. Governor Jenniffer González-Colón (R) signed the bill into law on Wednesday. The legislation imposes fines of $50,000 per violation on medics who provide hormone therapy or sex change surgeries to minors in the U.S. territory, along with potential penalties of 15 years in prison and the revocation of medical licenses and permits.

Puerto Rican Senate President Thomas Rivera Schatz (R), who authored the legislation, celebrated the signing, stating, “The protection of our children and the well-being of all minors is fundamental and non-negotiable!”

The law emphasizes officials’ responsibility to protect minors, stating, “Minors, having not yet reached the necessary emotional, cognitive, and physical maturity, are particularly vulnerable to making decisions that can have irreversible consequences. Therefore, it is the State’s duty to ensure their comprehensive well-being.”

The Puerto Rico LGBTQ+ Federation has announced plans to challenge the law in court. Co-director Justin Jesús Santiago described the law as “cruel and inhumane,” while federation president Pedro Julio Serrano criticized Governor González-Colón, calling her “the most anti-equity governor in history.”

Image by Quinn Dombrowski.

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Trump Ally Bolsonaro Detained in Brazil Amid Concerns He Will Seek Asylum in U.S.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Former Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro has reportedly been fitted with an electronic ankle tag by authorities amid concerns he might seek asylum in the U.S., where he has the support of President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s Supreme Court, President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and President Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Brazil, as Bolsonaro faces trial before the country’s Supreme Court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you.” – Donald Trump in a letter to Bolsonaro.

🎯IMPACT: Bolsonaro is accused of plotting a coup against President Lula and faces trial, with potential implications for Brazil’s democracy and political stability.

IN FULL

Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former populist president, has reportedly been fitted with an electronic ankle tag by authorities over concerns he may attempt to flee to the United States and seek asylum. Brazilian prosecutors accuse Bolsonaro, sometimes known as the ‘Tropical Trump,’ of plotting a coup against the incumbent far-left President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, and he is now facing trial before the country’s Supreme Court. The allegations have heightened tensions in Brazil, with Bolsonaro still holding significant public support.

U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his support for Bolsonaro, writing in a recent letter, “Terrible treatment you are receiving at the hands of an unjust system turned against you.” Additionally, earlier this month, Trump announced he would increase U.S. tariffs on Brazilian goods to 50 percent on August 1, 2025—in part as punishment for the country’s political persecution of Bolsonaro.

In response to the tariff threat, President Lula declared that Brazilian political leaders who support Bolsonaro and Trump are “traitors to the homeland.” He added: “Brazil has only one owner: the Brazilian people.” However, judges have already denied the Brazilian people the opportunity to vote for Bolsonaro by banning him from standing for election.

Meanwhile, in a Thursday post on Truth Social, President Trump demanded that Lula “changes course” and “stop attacking” Bolsonaro. Unlike most of the other tariff measures imposed by Trump, the trade duties on Brazilian goods are being justified in almost entirely political terms, linked to the South American country’s treatment of Bolsonaro.

Responding to the 50 percent tariff imposition in a letter to the Trump administration, Brazil expressed “indignation” at the increased trade duties. Though Lula insists he is “betting on good commercial and diplomatic relations” to ensure the U.S. tariffs on his country are lowered in the near term.

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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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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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Comey’s Daughter, Who Worked on the Diddy and Epstein Cases, Is Complaining the DOJ Fired Her for No Reason.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Assistant U.S. Attorney Maurene Comey claims the Department of Justice (DOJ) fired her without reason, a move potentially signaling she intends to mount a legal challenge to her dismissal.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Maurene Comey, former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, the DOJ, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The termination occurred on Wednesday, July 16, 2025, with Comey informing colleagues via email on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought.” – Maurene Comey

🎯IMPACT: While Maurene Comey could move forward with litigation to challenge her firing, numerous legal experts believe that her dismissal is well within President Trump’s Article II powers.

IN FULL

Maurene Comey, the daughter of former Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey, claims her firing as an Assistant U.S. Attorney was unjustified, suggesting she may be laying the groundwork to challenge her dismissal. “Yesterday was unexpectedly my last day in the Office. I was summarily fired via memo from Main Justice that did not give a reason for my termination,” Comey wrote to her colleagues after she was fired from the Department of Justice (DOJ).

“If a career prosecutor can be fired without reason, fear may seep into the decisions of those who remain. Do not let that happen,” Maurene Comey continued, adding: “Fear is the tool of a tyrant, wielded to suppress independent thought. Instead of fear, let this moment fuel the fire that already burns at the heart of this place. A fire of righteous indignation at abuses of power. Of commitment to seek justice for victims. Of dedication to truth above all else.”

Despite her claims that her firing was unwarranted and unjustified, numerous legal experts—including Trump critic and former Assistant U.S. Attorney Andrew C. McCarthy—have pointed out that Maurene Comey’s removal is well within the President’s Article II powers. In fact, despite Comey’s claim of being removed “without reason,” it has been widely reported that she was told her dismissal was justified under Article II.

Notably, Maurene Comey’s ouster comes on the heels of her controversial handling of the federal prosecution of hip-hop music mogul Sean “P Diddy” Combs. After a month-long trial, Combs was acquitted by a jury of the most serious charges against him.

In addition, Comey also served on the federal prosecutions against both Ghislaine Maxwell and Jeffrey Epstein. The assignment of these high-profile cases could be used as further justification for her removal, with some suggesting the assignments only occurred because of her father’s influence.

Image by Steve Fernie.

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Top Medical School Faces Civil Rights Complaint After Ignoring Anti-DEI Order.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Johns Hopkins Medical School is facing a civil rights complaint for allegedly continuing to follow diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) policies despite a federal executive order banning them.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: America First Legal (AFL), Johns Hopkins Medical School, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The complaint was filed on Thursday, focusing on practices at Johns Hopkins Medical School in Baltimore, Maryland.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.” – Megan Redshaw, AFL counsel.

🎯IMPACT: The complaint alleges systemic discrimination and a deliberate effort to evade the Supreme Court’s ruling banning affirmative action in admissions, potentially setting a precedent for future cases.

IN FULL

America First Legal (AFL) has filed a civil rights complaint with the Department of Justice (DOJ) against Johns Hopkins Medical School, alleging the institution continues to implement diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, which were banned for institutions receiving federal dollars under an Executive Order signed by President Donald J. Trump. The complaint accuses the school of engaging in “systemic, intentional, and ongoing discrimination” by factoring race into admissions and hiring processes and hosting programs that limit participation based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Megan Redshaw, counsel at AFL, criticized the school’s practices, stating, “This is about restoring equal treatment under the law. Johns Hopkins has received billions in taxpayer dollars, but it is actively segregating opportunities based on race and sex. That is not just wrong—it’s unconstitutional.”

The complaint also claims the medical school is attempting to circumvent a Supreme Court ruling banning affirmative action policies. AFL alleges that Johns Hopkins uses race-based outreach and pathway programs to “pre-filter applicants to achieve predetermined demographic outcomes.” Additionally, the school’s residency program allegedly includes leadership roles specifically aimed at recruiting individuals based on race, gender, or sexuality.

Johns Hopkins’ website openly supports DEI initiatives, stating its mission is to “recruit, promote, retain, and engage those underrepresented in medicine, science, nursing, and healthcare administration so that we can achieve health equity.” Scholarships offered by the school reportedly favor certain demographic groups, including non-U.S. citizens and minority students, while socioeconomic status is allegedly used as a proxy for race.

The Trump administration has prioritized dismantling discriminatory DEI programs. President Trump signed multiple executive orders to ban their use in federally funded programs, emphasizing the importance of adhering to the Civil Rights Act. The Department of Education under Trump also reinforced these priorities, notifying schools that racial discrimination would not be tolerated.

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Grenell: Newsom Lied About Post-Wildfires ‘Land Grab.’

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Special Envoy Richard “Ric” Grenell accused California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) of lying about plans for a “land grab” in fire-damaged areas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ric Grenell, Gavin Newsom, State Sen. Ben Allen (D), and local residents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: California, following January wildfires; accusations made Wednesday, July 16, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They are changing the character of the Palisades and Malibu to fit their woke agenda. They don’t care what residents want. They can’t even deliver building permits properly,” said Grenell.

🎯IMPACT: Local residents expressed outrage over plans for low-income housing on fire-damaged lands.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump’s U.S. Special Envoy for Special Missions, Richard “Ric” Grenell, is accusing Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA) of lying regarding California’s plans to engage in a “land grab” in the Pacific Palisades and other areas devastated by the Los Angeles wildfires. The allegations come as local residents are raising the alarm about what they say is a plan being pushed by Newsom to use some of the land under fire-damaged properties to build low-income housing.

“[Gov. Newsom] lied. He said he wouldn’t grab the land where homes burned down in the Palisades to build low-income housing facilities – but he and [Los Angeles Mayor] Karen Bass just did,” Grenell wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He continued: “They are changing the character of the Palisades and Malibu to fit their woke agenda. They don’t care what residents want. They can’t even deliver building permits properly.”

Grenell, who also serves as President of the Kennedy Center, added: “But this fight is not over. Stay tuned…”

Gov. Newsom earmarked an estimated $101 million last week to subsidize housing developers who plan to build low-income housing in areas impacted by the wildfires. This follows a prior move by Newsom to sign a proposal that rolls back environmental regulations that had previously blocked multi-unit housing construction in urban areas.

In addition, the California State Senate adopted a measure creating a new government entity that can use property revenues to purchase fire-impacted lots for low-income housing development. However, State Senator Ben Allen (D) announced on Wednesday evening that he was pulling his bill before it could reach the State Assembly, stating that it required more time for public consultation.

Notably, the legislation, along with Newsom‘s maneuvers, is sparking intense public backlash, especially in light of prior promises to assist residents with rebuilding. This included pledges to streamline permit approvals and clear other regulatory barriers that have yet to materialize.

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Senate Approves Trump’s $9 Billion Cut to Foreign Aid, Biased Media.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Senate passed a $9 billion federal spending cuts package targeting foreign aid and public broadcasters accused of bias.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Senate Majority Leader John Thune, NPR, PBS, and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Early Thursday morning in the U.S. Senate, with a House vote expected this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s a small but important step toward fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.” – John Thune

🎯IMPACT: The bill eliminates taxpayer funding for NPR, PBS, and foreign aid programs, aligning with Trump’s fiscal priorities.

IN FULL

The United States Senate approved the Trump White House rescission request early Thursday morning, cutting nearly $9 billion in previously appropriated spending, primarily for public broadcasting and foreign aid. Notably, the rescission package includes significant cuts to NPR and PBS, essentially cutting off the public broadcasters’ access to taxpayer dollars—marking a significant victory for President Donald J. Trump’s legislative agenda.

In addition to addressing funding for NPR and PBS, the rescission package also pulls back funding for grants handled by the now-defunct United States Agency for International Development (USAID). Despite having now passed the House and Senate, the spending clawback will need to head back to the lower chamber of Congress, as the Senate did enact some changes to the measure, including restoring funding for the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The House must pass the rescissions by Friday for them to take effect.

The funding cut measure includes an $8 billion reduction in foreign aid, which includes several immigrant and refugee assistance programs. Several programs dealing with international disaster relief and global health initiatives will also receive significant cuts.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) described the move as “a small but important step toward fiscal sanity that we all should be able to agree is long overdue.” Despite resistance from two senior Republicans on the Appropriations Committee, Thune secured the passage of the bill with only a handful of changes.

Image by Ron Cogswell.

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