Sunday, August 3, 2025

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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Musk’s Approval Has Cratered Since He Turned on Trump.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk’s favorability rating has dropped significantly, particularly among Republicans, following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, President Trump, and polling respondents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll results were published on Thursday by CNN.

🎯IMPACT: Despite his slide in popularity, Musk’s proposed “America Party” could still siphon votes from the GOP, benefiting Democrats in future elections.

IN FULL

Elon Musk’s favorability rating has plummeted to 23 percent, according to new polling data released Thursday. The Tesla CEO, who has faced mounting criticism following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump, now sees 60 percent of Americans holding an unfavorable opinion of him. This marks a 12-point drop in favorability since March, alongside a seven-point increase in unfavorable views.

The decline found in the poll, released by CNN, is most pronounced among Republicans. In March, 75 percent of Republicans viewed Musk favorably, but that figure has since fallen to just 42 percent. This shift coincides with Musk’s announcement of his “America Party,” a new political venture aimed at creating a third-party alternative in the U.S.

Musk’s new party is struggling to gain traction. While an unscientific poll Musk conducted on X (formerly Twitter) showed support for the initiative, CNN’s scientific poll found that only 25 percent of Americans back the idea, with 74 percent opposed. The lack of enthusiasm could spell trouble for Musk’s ambitions, especially as the party’s impact appears to be limited to siphoning votes from Republicans.

According to Echelon Insights, the “America Party” would garner just five percent on a generic congressional ballot in 2026. However, that five percent would come entirely from Republican voters, shifting the balance from Republicans +1 to Democrats +4. This potential realignment could have significant consequences for upcoming elections.

Musk’s efforts to establish himself as a political force continue to face challenges, with his declining favorability and the potential disruption his party might cause within the American right. The fallout with President Trump appears to have further alienated a key base of support for the South African billionaire.

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Hunter Biden Blames Democrat Losses on Lack of Loyalty to His Father.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Hunter Biden claimed that the Democratic Party’s 2024 election loss stemmed from abandoning his father, Joe Biden, as the party’s leader, arguing the party “literally melted down.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hunter Biden, Joe Biden, Biden Sr.’s physician Kevin O’Connor, and Biden White House aides.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Comments made on the At Our Table podcast, set to air Thursday, July 17, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We lost the last election because we did not remain loyal to the leader of the party.” – Hunter Biden

🎯IMPACT: Hunter Biden’s remarks point to internal party struggles, with further scrutiny on Joe Biden’s health and leadership during the campaign.

IN FULL

Hunter Biden, the son of former President Joe Biden, says the Democratic Party’s 2024 election loss was due to its decision to abandon his father as its leader, claiming the party “literally melted down.” Speaking on the At Our Table podcast hosted by former Democratic National Committee chairman Jaime Harrison, Hunter Biden defended his father’s controversial legacy and lashed out at those behind the machinations that saw former President Biden drop out of the presidential race on July 21, 2024.

“We lost the election because we did not remain loyal to the leader of the party,” Biden said, according to excerpts of the conversation released prior to the podcast’s airing on Thursday. “That’s my position. We had the advantage of incumbency. We had the advantage of an incredibly successful administration, and the Democratic Party literally melted down.”

The comments from Hunter Biden come as former White House staff are facing a Congressional inquiry into allegations that they covered up former President Joe Biden’s cognitive decline and used an autopen device to sign presidential directives without the octogenarian Democrat’s knowledge. Most recently, Biden’s White House doctor, Kevin O’Connor, pleaded the Fifth, refusing to answer questions from the House Oversight Committee.

Following a disastrous June 2024 presidential debate performance, Joe Biden was pressured by Democratic leaders and some of his senior staff to exit the race, as polling showed a catastrophic defeat for the party up and down the November ballot. Addressing the alleged cover-up of his father’s cognitive decline, Hunter Biden argued “the idea of a conspiracy” is a ploy peddled by journalists trying to sell books and that hiding a President’s declining health would be impossible in Washington, D.C.

Hunter Biden then denied allegations that he acted as a key advisor to his father, telling Harrison that he “stayed as far away” as he could during the campaign. Notably, Hunter Biden faced federal gun and tax fraud charges at the time.

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Owner of Illegal Alien Weed Farm Is Newsom Donor.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The co-founder of Glass House Farms—a marijuana operation raided by federal immigration agents who uncovered child labor and detained 361 illegal immigrant workers, including 14 minors—has been revealed to be a donor to Governor Gavin Newsom (D-CA).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Glass House Farms co-founder Graham Farra, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), Gov. Gavin Newsom, and protestors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The raid occurred last Thursday at Glass House Farms in Ventura County, California.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.” – Glass House Brands statement via X.

🎯IMPACT: The raid sparked violent clashes between protestors and agents, raised questions about labor practices, and brought scrutiny to political donations by Glass House Farms’ co-founder.

IN FULL

The co-founder of Glass House Farms, Graham Farra, has donated substantial sums to California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) and other Democrats, according to campaign finance records. Farra’s company, Glass House Farms, was raided by federal agents last Thursday, resulting in the detention of 361 illegal immigrants, including 14 minors. The raid turned violent, with one worker falling to his death from a greenhouse.

Glass House Brands, the parent company of Glass House Farms, issued a statement on X asserting, “Glass House has never knowingly violated applicable hiring practices and does not and has never employed minors.” Farra himself posted on X, stating, “We are focused on taking care of our people and our plants,” though the post was later deleted.

Farra has a history of political contributions to Democrat causes, including a $10,000 donation to Newsom in 2018 and contributions to the Santa Barbara County Democratic Central Committee’s federal PAC and Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA).

Newsom’s only comment on the campaign donor revelation was to deflect in a post on X, stating, “Sure is rich for Fox News and the Trump Admin to point to campaign donations to Democrats, when in fact, the CEO is a Trump supporter who donated to my recall and has given to more Republicans.”

The company, co-founded by Farra and Kyle Kazan, has built its reputation on claims of sustainable and ethical cannabis farming. Kazan, a former police officer and teacher, reportedly supports President Donald J. Trump. Glass House Brands has not commented on the recent allegations.

Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin described the conditions at the farm as resembling “exploitation, forced child labor, and potentially human trafficking or smuggling while facing assault and even gunfire.” Among those detained was Mexican national Juan Duarte-Velasquez, who had prior convictions for rape and DUI.

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Senate Moves Forward on Trump Cuts to Foreign Aid, NPR, and PBS.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Senate is preparing to act on a White House request to rescind $9.4 billion in funding for foreign aid and government-funded broadcasting.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD), and President Donald J. Trump, among others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Senate could move forward as soon as Tuesday, with a Friday deadline looming for congressional action.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Very important that all Republicans adhere to my Recissions Bill,” said President Trump on Truth Social.

🎯IMPACT: The proposal could cut foreign aid, public broadcasting funding, and programs like PEPFAR.

IN FULL

The Senate is set to move forward on a White House request to claw back $9.4 billion in funding for international aid and public broadcasting. The rescissions package, requested in June, seeks to cancel previously approved funds, including $8.3 billion for USAID and $1.1 billion for public broadcasting entities like NPR and PBS. The White House has criticized these entities for spreading “radical, woke propaganda disguised as ‘news.'” The House of Representatives already approved the package last month, despite opposition from all Democrats and four Republicans.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD) indicated that procedural votes could begin Tuesday afternoon, though some Republicans remain on the fence regarding specific cuts. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) has voiced strong objections to targeting the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR). The Maine Republican argues that cutting PEPFAR would harm global health efforts, including maternal and child health programs. “I can’t imagine why we would want to terminate that program,” she said.

Other concerns have been raised about the impact on rural communities. Sen. Mike Rounds (R-SD) highlighted the importance of public broadcasting for Native American tribes and rural areas, stating that Senate Republicans are working to ensure funding for these stations is preserved. “We’re proposing changes,” Rounds said, emphasizing the need to protect local radio systems in states like South Dakota, North Dakota, Montana, and Alaska.

Conversely, President Donald J. Trump has urged Republicans to support the rescissions package, warning that those who do not back the proposal “will not have my support or Endorsement.” Meanwhile, Democrats, led by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY), have criticized the effort as “absurd” and accused Republicans of undermining bipartisan deals for partisan purposes.

With the Friday deadline approaching, Senate Republicans face a narrow majority to pass the package. Amendments to the proposal could require further approval from the House, adding to the time constraints. Thune expressed hope for progress, stating, “I’m hoping that as we get on that bill we can see some savings achieved that will complement the things we already accomplished in reconciliation.”

Image by Matthew Hurst.

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