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Thursday, August 28, 2025

Category: Politics
August 6, 2025
News
Politics

Sen. Marsha Blackburn Enters Race for Tennessee Governor.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Republican Senator Marsha Blackburn announced her candidacy for Tennessee governor.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Rep. John Rose (R-TN), and outgoing Gov. Bill Lee (R-TN).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Announcement made on Wednesday, in Tennessee, as Blackburn prepares for the 2026 gubernatorial race.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Here in the Volunteer State, we always lead the way. And that’s why I am announcing my candidacy for governor.” – Marsha Blackburn

🎯IMPACT: If elected, Blackburn would become the first woman to serve as Tennessee governor.

IN FULL

U.S. Senator Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) officially announced her candidacy for governor of Tennessee on August 6, setting her sights on succeeding term-limited Governor Bill Lee. In a video released to launch her campaign, Blackburn declared her vision to position Tennessee as “America’s conservative leader for this generation and the next.”

Blackburn opened her announcement with a confident message: “Trump is back, America is blessed and Tennessee—better than ever.” Touting her conservative credentials, she aligned herself closely with President Donald J. Trump, adding, “He’s going to need strong conservative governors who can bring that revolution home.”

A veteran of Tennessee politics, Blackburn has served in the U.S. Senate since 2019 and previously held a seat in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than a decade. Her 2018 Senate campaign drew national headlines after pop star Taylor Swift publicly criticized her voting record. Despite the backlash, Blackburn won the race and became the first woman to represent Tennessee in the U.S. Senate. She secured a second term in 2024.

Blackburn’s entry into the 2026 gubernatorial race sets up a Republican primary contest with Representative John Rose, who declared his candidacy earlier this year.

If successful, Blackburn would become Tennessee’s first female governor. This move also places Blackburn among a growing list of U.S. senators seeking gubernatorial office, following recent announcements by Senators Michael Bennet (D) of Colorado and Tommy Tuberville (R) of Alabama.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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August 6, 2025
Crime
Politics

Pennsylvania Man Charged for Alleged Death Threats Against President Trump.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A Pennsylvania man was charged federally for allegedly threatening to kill then-President-elect Donald J. Trump before his inauguration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jacob Buckley, a 22-year-old from Port Matilda, Pennsylvania, and the U.S. Secret Service.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The threats were made on January 16, 2025, via TikTok, according to the Justice Department.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “I’m going to kill Trump,” Buckley allegedly wrote on TikTok.

🎯IMPACT: If convicted, Buckley faces up to five years in prison, supervised release, fines, and a special assessment.

IN FULL

Jacob Buckley, a 22-year-old Pennsylvania man, has been charged by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Pennsylvania for allegedly threatening to kill then-President-elect Donald J. Trump. The threats, made on TikTok under the username “Jacob_buckley,” included statements such as, “I’m going to kill Trump,” and, “Bro we going into a literal oligarchy in 4 days and im going to kill Trump,” according to prosecutors.

The U.S. Secret Service conducted the investigation, and Buckley has been “charged by criminal information for threatening Donald Trump as the President-elect,” according to the U.S. Attorney’s Office. The Department of Justice (DOJ) noted that the maximum penalty upon conviction includes up to five years in prison, supervised release, fines, and a special assessment.

This case follows a similar incident involving a Rhode Island man, Carl Montague, who was charged in July for allegedly threatening Trump and members of his administration on Truth Social. Montague’s threats, posted on June 27, 2025, included violent language directed at Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, and White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller. The FBI later determined that Montague did not have access to weapons or the means to carry out his threats.

During the 2024 presidential campaign, two would-be assassins made attempts on President Trump’s life. Ryan Wesley Routh, who was discovered by the Secret Service hiding with an SKS-style rifle amidst shrubbery on the edge of the Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach, Florida, is currently facing trial. A judge recently ruled that Routh will be allowed to represent himself in his defense.

Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok.

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State Representative Matt Pierce
August 6, 2025
Politics

Democratic Lawmaker Threatens ‘Knife Fight’ Prior to J.D. Vance Visit.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Indiana Democrats are warning of a potential redistricting battle as Republicans consider redrawing congressional district maps ahead of the 2026 midterms.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: State Representative Matt Pierce, Vice President J.D. Vance, Governor Mike Braun (R-IN), Congressman Frank Mrvan (D-IN), and other state and national political figures.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Indiana, with discussions and meetings taking place this week, including a visit from Vice President Vance to Indianapolis.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “I’m sounding the alarm because Democrats in Indiana are in a knife fight to preserve democracy, and we better start acting like it.” – Matt Pierce

🎯IMPACT: The potential redistricting could reshape Indiana’s congressional delegation, targeting competitive districts and sparking broader national debates on gerrymandering.

IN FULL

Indiana State Representative Matt Pierce (D) says that Democrats in the state are in a “knife fight to preserve democracy” as Republicans consider redrawing congressional districts. The threat comes as Vice President J.D. Vance is set to visit Indianapolis this week to meet with Governor Mike Braun (R-IN) to discuss redistricting.

A redrawn Indiana congressional map could potentially target Democratic-leaning seats like the state’s 1st Congressional District, currently held by Congressman Frank Mrvan (D-IN), as Republicans work to solidify their 7-2 advantage in the state’s congressional delegation.

Pierce alleges that Vance is being sent by President Donald J. Trump to push Braun into calling a special session to implement “Texas-style gerrymandering.” In a Facebook video, Pierce stated, “I’m sounding the alarm because Democrats in Indiana are in a knife fight to preserve democracy, and we better start acting like it.” The Indiana Democrat continued, alleging Republicans want to “steal away seats from Democrats because they know they can’t win this election with their failed policies that harm the middle class and then give all the benefits to the wealthy.”

A spokesman for Indiana House Democrats revealed that efforts are underway to mobilize public opposition, including calls to representatives and a sit-in protest. However, Indiana’s legislative rules do not require a quorum for Republicans to pass a redistricting bill, removing a tactic used by Texas Democrats to delay similar efforts.

Governor Braun described his discussions with Vance as “exploratory” with “no commitments” yet. Meanwhile, Democrats in other states like California and Illinois are also considering retaliatory redistricting efforts to counter Republican moves in states like Texas, Missouri, and Florida. Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY) has called for legislation to ban partisan gerrymandering and mid-decade redistricting, emphasizing the need for competitive districts to improve Congress.

Image by Indiana Public Media.

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August 6, 2025
Politics

Texas Supreme Court Gives Dems Until Friday to Respond to Abbott’s Removal Order.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Texas Gov. Greg Abbott filed an emergency petition to the state Supreme Court to remove state Rep. Gene Wu from office after Wu fled with other Democrats to block a redistricting bill. The Texas Supreme Court took up the petition late Tuesday, giving Wu until Friday to respond.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Gov. Greg Abbott (R-TX), state Rep. Gene Wu (D), Texas House Democrats, and Attorney General Ken Paxton (R-TX).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The petition was filed on Tuesday evening in Texas following the Democrats’ departure over the weekend.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Absconding from the State during a constitutionally mandated session… constitutes a flagrant violation of Wu’s oath and is an intentional abandonment of his constitutional duty,” the lawsuit states.

🎯IMPACT: The Texas House Republicans plan to attempt reaching a quorum again on Friday, after failing earlier this week.

IN FULL

Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) filed an emergency petition with the state Supreme Court on Tuesday to initiate removal proceedings against state Representative Gene Wu (D) and Texas House Democrats. Texas’s high court took up the petition late Tuesday evening, giving Wu until Friday to respond.

Wu, who serves as the Texas House Democratic Caucus chair, was among several Democratic lawmakers who left Texas to deny Republicans the quorum needed to pass a congressional map that could provide them with five additional pickup opportunities in the 2026 midterms.

According to Abbott’s filing, Wu violated the state Constitution by failing to return for the vote, claiming that his actions amounted to abandoning his office. The petition argued that maintaining quorum is “an affirmative constitutional obligation” and accused Wu of “openly renouncing these constitutional mandates by fleeing the State of Texas to break quorum.”

Responding to the accusations in a statement, Wu said: “Let me be unequivocal about my actions and my duty. When a governor conspires with a disgraced president to ram through a racist gerrymandered map, my constitutional duty is to not be a willing participant.” He added, “Denying the governor a quorum was not an abandonment of my office; it was a fulfillment of my oath.”

The Texas Supreme Court quickly took up Gov. Abbott’s petition, giving Wu until 5:00 PM on Friday to respond.

The emergency petition follows remarks from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R), who hinted at potential legal action over the situation. Texas House Republicans are expected to attempt to reach a quorum again on Friday, after failing on Monday and Tuesday.

Image by World Travel & Tourism Council.

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Wind Farm
August 5, 2025
Politics

Trump Admin Looks to End ‘Bird Killing’ Wind Farms.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Interior Department issued a new order targeting large-scale wind and solar projects, citing inefficiency, environmental impact, and grid instability.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary Doug Burgum, President Donald Trump, and the U.S. Energy Information Administration.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The order was revealed Tuesday, August 5, 2025, and impacts federal land management across the United States.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Gargantuan, unreliable, intermittent energy projects hold America back from achieving U.S. energy dominance while weighing heavily on the American taxpayer and environment,” said Doug Burgum.

🎯IMPACT: The order could limit the expansion of wind and solar projects, focusing instead on energy sources with higher efficiency and reliability.

IN FULL

The Interior Department has taken new steps to evaluate energy projects on federal lands based on their efficiency and environmental impact. Secretary Doug Burgum issued an order using a “capacity density” formula to measure the space and reliability of energy installations, with a particular focus on wind and solar projects.

“Gargantuan, unreliable, intermittent energy projects hold America back from achieving U.S. energy dominance while weighing heavily on the American taxpayer and environment,” Burgum said, announcing the new initiative. The order aligns with President Donald J. Trump’s energy goals, emphasizing the optimization of land use and the minimization of environmental impacts.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) found that advanced nuclear plants produce significantly more energy per acre compared to wind farms, with nuclear energy being 5,500 times more efficient. Burgum’s order highlights the displacement of reliable energy sources by “artificially stimulated” wind and solar projects, which he says have destabilized the electric grid.

President Trump has long criticized wind energy for its environmental toll, including the killing of birds. “If you love birds, you’d never want to walk under a windmill because it’s a very sad, sad sight. It’s like a cemetery,” Trump remarked during a past speech.

The order also touches on national security concerns, noting the importance of a stable domestic energy production framework. Burgum emphasized the need for commonsense policies that strengthen the nation while keeping the public informed.

Image by Patrick Briggs.

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August 5, 2025
Politics

Lois Lerner’s Deputy Finally Removed at IRS Decades After Tea Party Targeting Scandal.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Holly Paz, a former deputy to Lois Lerner during the Obama-era IRS targeting scandal, was placed on leave following concerns raised by lawmakers over the politicization of a new IRS sub-department she was leading.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Holly Paz, former IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel, Sen. Marsha Blackburn, Sen. Joni Ernst, Rep. Lloyd Smucker, and current IRS Commissioner Billy Long.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Paz was placed on leave last week, following months of scrutiny and letters to the Treasury Department from lawmakers. The events span multiple years, including the former Obama and Biden governments.

🎯IMPACT: Lawmakers have raised concerns about the IRS’s impartiality, the potential misuse of taxpayer funds, and the targeting of conservative businesses, echoing previous IRS scandals.

IN FULL

Holly Paz, a former deputy to Lois Lerner during the Obama-era IRS targeting scandal, has been placed on leave after lawmakers raised concerns about a new IRS sub-department she was leading. Paz had been assigned to oversee a unit aimed at auditing pass-through businesses, a move announced by Biden-era IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel. At the time, Werfel described the unit as a step toward holding the nation’s wealthiest filers accountable.

Lawmakers, however, have criticized the new unit as being ideologically driven. Sen. Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) warned in May that the unit was targeting Main Street businesses, including family-owned ventures and professional services firms. Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) also raised concerns about the unit’s impartiality, citing political comments made by Paz’s team and their use of templates with names referencing political rhetoric.

Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) expressed alarm over a Biden-era rule extending the scope of enforcement, which he argued burdens small businesses. “American taxpayers and businesses deserve clear and consistent tax rules that allow them to confidently comply with the law,” Smucker wrote in a letter to the newly appointed IRS Commissioner Billy Long, calling for a reconsideration of the rule.

Blackburn and Ernst have both noted that the new unit duplicates existing IRS processes, potentially wasting taxpayer money. Blackburn further highlighted that the unit’s focus on increasing audits rather than improving compliance suggests an agenda-driven approach to enforcement.

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August 1, 2025
Christopher Tomlinson
Politics

Anti-NYPD Mamdani Gets NYPD Security Detail.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zorhan Mamdani admitted he enjoys a New York City Police Department (NYPD) security detail despite his support for defunding the department and past comments calling them “racist” and a “threat” to public safety.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, the NYPD.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Mamdani commented about his security on July 31.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “My life is sadly not the one that it was. There are far more threats and with that comes precautions that I wish I didn’t have to take, though they are precautions I am immensely grateful for. Especially the example of the NYPD detail that I have here in New York City.” — Zohran Mamdani

🎯IMPACT: The revelations expose Mamdani’s hypocrisy when it comes to law enforcement, advocating for less policing and more lenient treatment of criminals while enjoying personal protection.

IN FULL

The Democrats’ New York City mayoral candidate, Zohran Mamdani, has revealed he enjoys a New York City Police Department (NYPD) security detail, despite smearing the department and advocating for it to be defunded for years.

“My life is sadly not the one that it was. There are far more threats and with that comes precautions that I wish I didn’t have to take, though they are precautions I am immensely grateful for. Especially the example of the NYPD detail that I have here in New York City,” Mamdani said at a press event on July 31.

The Indian-heritage Ugandan socialist, who only became a U.S. citizen in 2018, has been widely criticised for his past comments on the NYPD, particularly following a mass shooting earlier this week on July 28 that saw four people killed, including an NYPD officer.

In June of 2020, Mamdani referred to the NYPD as “racist, anti-queer & a major threat to public safety,” while in 2021 he stated that, “We can’t reform a system working exactly as designed – to control Black, brown & poor New Yorkers. We need to defund the police… free the thousands locked up unjustly & invest the savings in those most impacted by state violence.”

WATCH:

Image by Bingjiefu He.

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July 31, 2025
Education
Politics

Another Ivy League School Bends the Knee to Trump.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump secured a historic settlement with Brown University to restore fairness, merit, and safety in higher education.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Brown University, and state workforce development organizations.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The agreement was announced on Wednesday, July 30, 2025.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Congratulations to Brown University on the settlement made with the United States Government. There will be no more Anti-Semitism, or Anti-Christian, or Anti-Anything Else! Woke is officially DEAD at Brown.” — President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: The agreement ensures compliance with anti-discrimination laws and restores federal grants to Brown University.

IN FULL

Another major Ivy League university has entered into a settlement agreement with the Trump White House to end unlawful racial discrimination in admissions and university programming. The settlement with Brown University will see the Ivy League institution provide the federal government with extensive data on admissions and hiring practices to ensure compliance with the Trump administration’s merit-based academic policies.

“Congratulations to Brown University on the settlement made with the United States Government. There will be no more Anti-Semitism, or Anti-Christian, or Anti-Anything Else!” President Donald J. Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social on Thursday morning. He added, “Woke is officially DEAD at Brown. Thank you for your attention to this matter!”

In another major policy coup for President Trump, Brown says it will adopt the definitions of “male” and “female,” laid out in Executive Order 14168. This will, in effect, bar biological males at Brown from competing in women’s athletics, using women’s facilities and housing, or participating in female-specific programming. Importantly, the Ivy League school also says its medical institutions will no longer perform gender reassignment surgeries on minors or prescribe puberty blockers or cross-sex hormones.

Additionally, the university has agreed to pay $50 million over ten years to help fund state workforce development organizations. These groups must comply with anti-discrimination laws and support regional economic growth and career opportunities.

Brown has also pledged to “improve the campus climate for Jewish students and combat anti-Semitism.” Consequently, the Trump White House will restore the university’s federal grants and reinstate its eligibility for future government funding. The settlement agreement also establishes a three-year monitoring period, ensuring Brown’s compliance.

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July 30, 2025
Politics

Identified: Over $160 Billion in Cost Overruns on Federal Boondoggles.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) has released a report identifying over a dozen federal projects that are significantly over-budget or delayed by years, including the renovation of Jerome Powell’s Federal Reserve.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sen. Joni Ernst, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, and Vice President J.D. Vance.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Report released Wednesday, covering projects nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to bail out gravy trains and bridges to nowhere because bureaucrats continue to get bamboozled.” – Joni Ernst

🎯IMPACT: Ernst’s report highlights $162.9 billion in cost overruns, calling for greater accountability in federal spending.

IN FULL

Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA) on Wednesday outlined federal infrastructure projects that have faced significant delays or cost overruns. The report, assembled after a letter from Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy to Vice President J.D. Vance, identified 14 projects that are either $1 billion over budget or more than five years behind schedule.

“Taxpayers shouldn’t be forced to bail out gravy trains and bridges to nowhere because bureaucrats continue to get bamboozled,” Ernst said regarding her report’s findings. She added, “I will not allow taxpayers to continue to be taken for a billion-dollar ride. It is time to bring these boondoggles to a squealing halt.”

The report highlights $162.9 billion in cost overruns, with California’s high-speed rail project alone accounting for $95 billion. Other projects include the Columbus Crossroads corridor, which is 19 years behind schedule, and the Honolulu Rail Transit Project, which has seen a $4.8 billion overrun with its completion date pushed back to 2031.

In addition to transportation projects, Ernst’s report addresses overruns in defense spending and federal agency programs, such as the Department of Veterans Affairs’ electronic records system, which is nearly $34 billion over budget. Ernst noted that flaws in the system may have caused harm or even death to veterans.

Already, the Republican-led Congress has passed one rescission request made by the Trump White House, clawing back $9 billion in spending. Sen. Ernst’s report will likely serve as the basis for additional rescission requests in the future. President Donald J. Trump has signalled he will soon send a second rescission package to Capitol Hill.

Ernst has proposed a Billion Dollar Boondoggle Act to ensure “that all government projects $1 billion over budget or five years behind schedule will automatically be publicized.”

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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July 30, 2025
Politics

Top Trump Ally Confirmed as Judge Despite Senate RINOs Collaborating With Dems.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: The Senate narrowly confirmed Emil Bove to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in a 50-49 vote.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Emil Bove, Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, and Attorney General Pam Bondi.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The confirmation vote took place on Tuesday in the U.S. Senate.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Congratulations to our dear friend Emil Bove on his confirmation to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals! This is a GREAT day for our country.” – Attorney General Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: The confirmation solidifies a key judicial appointment by President Donald J. Trump despite heavy Democrat opposition.

IN FULL

Emil Bove, a former member of President Donald J. Trump‘s legal defense team and senior Department of Justice (DOJ) official, was confirmed to the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals late Tuesday night despite two GOP Senate defections. Senators Lisa Murkowski (AK) and Susan Collins (ME) joined Senate Democrats in opposing Bove’s nomination, which was ultimately approved on a 50 to 49 vote.

“Congratulations to our dear friend Emil Bove on his confirmation to serve on the 3rd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals! This is a GREAT day for our country,” U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). “I cannot thank Emil enough for his tireless work and support at [the Justice Department]. He will be missed—and he will be an outstanding judge.”

Before Trump’s return to the White House, Bove served alongside now-Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche as one of President Trump’s defense attorneys, representing the America First leader in several high-profile cases involving alleged mishandling of classified documents and election interference. Bove’s judicial nomination faced stiff opposition from Democrats, with Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) having what was widely described as a meltdown on the Senate floor just prior to the confirmation vote.

Democrats claimed that whistleblower complaints alleging Bove instructed DOJ officials to ignore judicial orders were disqualifying. However, Bove and other DOJ officials have emphatically disputed the allegations, pointing out that there is no material evidence to support them. Additionally, Senate Democrats attacked Bove over his role in dismissing a number of January 6 riot prosecutions and the case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams.

Despite the Democrat fueled allegations, Bove received a “Well Qualified” rating from the American Bar Association (ABA). “He has a strong legal background and has served his country honorably. I believe he will be a diligent, capable, and fair jurist,” Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) said, while accusing Democrats’ “vicious rhetoric” and “unfair accusations” of having broken bipartisan norms.

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