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Thursday, September 17, 2026
47 minutes ago
News

House Unanimously Passes Bill to End Penny Production.

The Common Cents Act, which would end penny production in the United States and implement cash rounding, has passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The House of Representatives has voted unanimously to end penny production in the United States.
📺 DETAIL: On Monday, the House passed the Common Cents Act, which aims to permanently halt the production of U.S. pennies and would require cash transactions to round to the nearest nickel. Both Democrats and Republicans supported the bill in a unanimous decision. Pennies already in circulation will remain legal tender. The bill follows the U.S. Mint’s decision to halt penny production in November 2025, a move initiated by President Donald J. Trump, who has referred to the penny production process as “wasteful.” Each U.S. penny costs 3.69 cents to produce, far exceeding its face value. The Treasury estimates that ending penny production could save $56 million per year. The U.S. Mint’s final order for pennies was issued in May 2025. The bill was advanced by Representative Lisa McClain (R-MI), Republican Conference Chair, and Representative Robert Garcia (D-CA), ranking member of the House Oversight Committee.
🎯 IMPACT: If passed by the Senate, the legislation will take effect one year after becoming law. While the President’s order to the U.S. Mint last year stopped production, this new legislation prevents production from being restarted in the future. Businesses and consumers will need to adapt to cash rounding practices. The legislation could result in simplified transactions and savings for the federal government.
📺 FLASHBACK: Earlier this month, the U.S. Mint released a commemorative coin for the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. The coin includes phrases “NEVER FORGET” and “IN GOD WE TRUST” as well as the date “09-11-01” and a picture of Lady Liberty. The same month, the U.S. Mint released a golden $1 coin featuring an image of President Trump.

Image by Jason Deines.

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The Common Cents Act, which would end penny production in the United States and implement cash rounding, has passed the House with unanimous bipartisan support.

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1 hour ago
Immigration
News
World

Trump Admin Imposes Visa Restrictions on South African Officials Over Anti-White Discrimination.

The Trump administration has announced visa restrictions targeting South African officials accused of enabling racial discrimination, land seizures, and inciting violence against minority groups.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration announced new visa restrictions targeting South African officials accused of enabling race-based discrimination, uncompensated land seizures, and incitement of violence against minority groups, especially white South Africans and the Dutch-descended Afrikaner group, sometimes referred to as Boers. Secretary of State Marco Rubio stated that these measures are being implemented under Section 212(a)(3)(C) of the Immigration and Nationality Act.
📺 DETAIL: The restrictions apply to individuals complicit in policies enabling uncompensated land seizures and racial discrimination, as well as those inciting violence against minorities. The announcement follows President Donald J. Trump’s February 2025 executive order halting certain aid to South Africa and prioritizing humanitarian relief for Afrikaners, citing the Expropriation Act and other discriminatory practices by the South African government. Family members of targeted individuals may also face visa restrictions.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “As [President Trump] has made clear, the South African people are being failed by a government that is destroying its economy through an obsessive pursuit of racial grievance against the Afrikaner minority. The South African government has consistently failed to adequately address rural crime, violent and dehumanizing rhetoric, and race-based discriminatory policies against Afrikaners and other minority populations. Today, I’m announcing a new visa restriction policy targeting foreign nationals who enact or enable policies that promote race-based discrimination, incite violence, or enable land confiscation without compensation in South Africa. Those responsible for these injustices have no place in the United States.” – Marco Rubio
🎯 IMPACT: This policy marks an escalation in U.S.-South Africa tensions, with the Trump administration taking a firm stance against discriminatory and violent practices targeting Afrikaners and other minorities. The visa restrictions aim to hold South African officials accountable while signaling U.S. disapproval of race-based policies.

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The Trump administration has announced visa restrictions targeting South African officials accused of enabling racial discrimination, land seizures, and inciting violence against minority groups.

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2 hours ago
Election Integrity
Lawfare
News

Kavanaugh Indicates Blocked Mail-in Ballot Reforms Could Still Be Implemented for 2028.

The Supreme Court has temporarily halted President Trump’s USPS mail-in voting reforms for the 2026 midterms, but Justice Kavanaugh has indicated they could still be implemented in future elections, including 2028.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Supreme Court rejected an emergency request to lift a lower court injunction that blocks the implementation of new United States Postal Service (USPS) safeguards on mail-in ballots for the 2026 midterms. However, Justice Brett Kavanaugh, in a concurring opinion, suggested that the USPS rules could still fall within statutory authority, providing a potential pathway for their implementation in time for the 2028 elections, which are not as short-notice as making changes in time for the midterms.
📺 DETAIL: The proposed rules included requirements for election mail logos, unique barcodes, and voter data uploads to enhance ballot tracking and guard against voter impersonation and electoral fraud. A coalition of 24 Democrat state attorneys general had sued to block the rules, arguing they infringed on the Constitution’s Elections Clause. The Trump administration countered that the USPS would merely be regulating mail processes, not election procedures.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “In my view, based on the briefing the Court has received at this interim stage, there is at least a fair prospect that the final rule falls within the Postal Service’s statutory authority.” – Justice Brett Kavanaugh
🎯 IMPACT: While the reforms will not take effect for the 2026 midterms, they could be implemented for the 2028 presidential election. The timing of future litigation will play a critical role, with fewer logistical hurdles expected for implementation over a longer timeframe. The decision underscores ongoing debates over election integrity and federal involvement in mail-in voting.
📺 FLASHBACK: This decision follows previous rulings in which Justice Kavanaugh outlined legal pathways to revive Trump administration policies defeated by lawfare, including birthright citizenship and tariffs, suggesting that these issues remain open rather than definitively closed.

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The Supreme Court has temporarily halted President Trump's USPS mail-in voting reforms for the 2026 midterms, but Justice Kavanaugh has indicated they could still be implemented in future elections, including 2028.

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15 hours ago
Crime
Immigration
News

ICE Blasts ‘Sanctuary Politicians’ After Stabbing Spree by Migrant.

A surge in violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Virginia has sparked criticism of Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger’s sanctuary policies, with calls for stronger cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has urged Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger (D) and “her fellow sanctuary politicians” to prevent the release of Freddi Chigo Mil, a Mexican illegal immigrant charged with a stabbing spree that left one woman dead and another with injuries “causing permanent impairment.” The incident has reignited criticism of Democratic policies of refusing to cooperate with federal law enforcement and their role in enabling violent crimes by illegal aliens.
📺 DETAIL: ICE has lodged a detainer for Mil, requesting that he not be released so he can face deportation after legal proceedings. This comes as another illegal immigrant, Yinmi Molina-Zepeda, wanted for aggravated homicide in El Salvador, was arrested in Virginia the same day. Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin and victim advocacy groups have criticized Spanberger’s policies, citing a broader pattern of violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in the state.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “This illegal alien from Mexico has been charged with murder after a stabbing spree… It’s time to put an end to these preventable tragedies. Deporting illegal aliens saves lives.” – Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin
🎯 IMPACT: Critics argue that sanctuary policies create public safety risks by shielding illegal immigrants accused of violent crimes from deportation. Advocacy groups and federal officials are calling for stronger state and local cooperation with ICE to prevent such incidents.
📈 DATA: The Department of Homeland Security has highlighted at least 22 cases of high-profile violent and sexual crimes involving illegal immigrants in Virginia this year, including charges such as murder, rape, and child sex offenses.

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A surge in violent crimes committed by illegal immigrants in Virginia has sparked criticism of Democrat Governor Abigail Spanberger's sanctuary policies, with calls for stronger cooperation with federal immigration enforcement.

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15 hours ago
Crime
News

Trump’s Memphis Task Force Slashes Crime by Over a Third.

President Trump’s Memphis Safe Task Force has delivered historic results, reducing crime in one of America’s most violent cities and reclaiming neighborhoods from lawlessness.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: One year after President Donald J. Trump created the Memphis Safe Task Force and ordered a federal surge into the city, Memphis has reported a sharp decline in crime. The task force, which brought together more than 30 federal, state, and local agencies, has focused on arrests, outstanding warrants, illegal firearms, narcotics, and gang activity.
📺 DETAIL: Overall crime in Memphis is down nearly 36 percent from the previous year, while murders have fallen 36 percent, sexual assaults 28 percent, motor vehicle thefts 57 percent, robberies 42 percent, shoplifting 44 percent, and aggravated assaults 26 percent. The city is reportedly on pace to record its lowest overall crime level in 25 years. As of September 15, the task force reported 12,747 arrests, including 131 homicide arrests, 1,363 narcotics arrests, 1,276 firearms arrests, 125 sex-offense arrests, and 1,408 arrests of known gang members. Authorities also reported recovering 2,160 illegal firearms and locating 189 missing children. The latest declines follow a 28 percent reduction in overall crime in Memphis during 2025, when murders fell 26 percent and the city recorded fewer than 200 killings for the first time since 2019. Memphis had recorded the nation’s highest violent and property crime rates in 2024.
🎯 IMPACT: The sustained decline in Memphis crime, alongside thousands of arrests and the removal of illegal firearms, provides the Trump administration with a high-profile example of its federal public-safety strategy producing measurable results. If the trend continues, Memphis could become a prominent case study in debates over federal involvement in local crime reduction.

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President Trump's Memphis Safe Task Force has delivered historic results, reducing crime in one of America's most violent cities and reclaiming neighborhoods from lawlessness.

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16 hours ago
Data
News
Politics

POLL: Vance, Harris Are the Front-Runners for 2028 Presidential Nominations.

A new poll has revealed that Vice President JD Vance and former Vice President Kamala Harris are the Republican and Democrat frontrunners for their parties’ respective primaries.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Vice President JD Vance and former Vice President Kamala Harris are their respective parties’ preferred candidates for the 2028 presidential election, according to a new poll.
📺 DETAIL: According to The Honest Poll, commissioned by Veteran Action, a veterans nonprofit organization, Vice President Vance has 41 percent support among Republicans, while former Vice President Harris has 32 percent support among Democrats. Among Republicans, Donald Trump Jr. secured 22 percent support, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio secured 17 percent. Florida Governor Ron DeSantis received seven percent among Republicans, while Senator Ted Cruz (R-TX) and former South Carolina Governor Nikki Haley each received two percent. Among Democrats, California Governor Gavin Newsom secured 21 percent support, and former Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg secured 13 percent. Various other Democrats received single-digit support. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY) secured nine percent, Senator Jon Ossoff (D-GA) received six percent, and Governor of Pennsylvania Josh Shapiro received five percent.
🎯 IMPACT: The poll indicates that the 2028 presidential election could effectively be a rematch of the 2024 presidential election, which the former Vice President lost to President Donald J. Trump. Before former President Joe Biden dropped out of the race, Harris was Vance’s opposite number in the contest. This suggests that there is still considerable support for Harris among Democrats despite her failure to win in 2024. Establishment Democrats continue to dominate the preferred candidates for President among the party’s base despite the gains of far-left Democrats throughout the 2026 election cycle. While Vice President Vance is the clear favorite among Republicans, the strong showing for Donald Trump Jr. underscores the personal popularity of President Trump and his family among the grassroots, as well as their impact on the party’s direction. This follows a poll published last month, which showed the former Vice President with 37 percent support. Findings from July showed that Vice President Vance was more popular than former Vice President Harris, putting the former in a relatively strong position if both end up being nominated by their respective parties for President in 2028. The fact that Harris is leading among Democrats is likely to encourage her to make a bid for the White House, which she is actively considering.

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A new poll has revealed that Vice President JD Vance and former Vice President Kamala Harris are the Republican and Democrat frontrunners for their parties' respective primaries.

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17 hours ago
Economy
News

Trump Demands Major Interest Rate Cut Following Fed Hike.

President Donald J. Trump called for significant interest rate cuts following the Federal Reserve’s decision to raise rates for the first time in three years.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Reserve raised interest rates by 25 basis points, bringing the rate from 3.75 percent to 4.00 percent, following a prolonged period of steady rates. President Donald J. Trump responded by urging the Fed to lower rates to one percent or less, citing the United States’ strong credit and booming investment climate.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Interest Rates in the United States should be 1%, or less, because we are the Best Credit in the World — BY FAR. Our Country is BOOMING with new Investment! If we stopped Trading with every country that we have a Deficit with, which is most of them, we would make, at least, 1.5 Trillion Dollars a year. The word ‘Deficit’ is nothing more than a fancy word for LOSS. We are ‘carrying’ almost every country in the World, and that cannot go on any longer. LOWER THE INTEREST RATES FOR THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND FAST! – President Trump on Truth Social
🎯 IMPACT: Trump’s remarks highlight a sharp contrast with the Federal Reserve’s current monetary policy, which aims to combat inflation by raising rates. His call for drastic rate cuts underscores his belief that lower interest rates could further stimulate economic growth and reduce trade deficits with other countries.
📺 DETAIL: Trump has a long history of criticizing Federal Reserve policies, previously targeting former Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell for hesitating to lower rates. However, his latest comments notably omit direct criticism of current Fed Chairman Kevin Warsh, whom he appointed earlier this year, signaling he is willing to give the central bank’s new leadership some leeway despite going against his wishes.

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President Donald J. Trump called for significant interest rate cuts following the Federal Reserve's decision to raise rates for the first time in three years.

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17 hours ago
News
War

Trump Admin Negotiating With the Houthis to Keep Red Sea Open.

U.S. diplomats met with Houthi representatives in Oman to discuss maintaining a ceasefire and ensuring the Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains open amid escalating regional tensions.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: American diplomats met with representatives of Yemen’s Iran-backed Houthis in Oman over the weekend to keep the strategically important Bab al-Mandeb Strait open, according to a regional source familiar with the talks. The meeting in Muscat was facilitated by the Omani government and focused on maintaining the May 2025 ceasefire between the United States and the Houthis, as well as ensuring freedom of navigation through the Red Sea chokepoint.
📰 DETAIL: The U.S. delegation consisted of embassy diplomats, while Houthi representatives reportedly said they want the ceasefire with Washington to continue. The Houthis also claimed their ongoing attacks in the region are directed only at Saudi ships amid renewed fighting with Saudi Arabia. They reportedly pledged to allow non-Saudi vessels to pass through the strait. Vice President JD Vance confirmed Monday that the U.S. has been holding direct talks with the Houthis, saying Washington believes it is “on top of the situation.” Secretary of State Marco Rubio separately spoke with Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr al-Busaidi on Tuesday about regional de-escalation efforts following weeks of heightened tensions. The talks come as fighting between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis has intensified, including Houthi drone and missile attacks targeting Saudi territory. Saudi airstrikes have failed to produce a decisive ground counteroffensive by allied Yemeni forces to undo Houthi advances.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “We’ve also been engaged in direct conversations with the Houthis themselves, so we actually feel like we are on top of the situation.” – Vice President JD Vance.
🎯 IMPACT: The talks highlight the Trump administration’s effort to prevent the conflict between Saudi Arabia and the Houthis from disrupting one of the world’s most important maritime chokepoints, while avoiding a broader U.S. military commitment in Yemen. Keeping the Bab al-Mandeb Strait open could help protect global shipping and energy supplies, but renewed Houthi attacks or a collapse of the U.S.-Houthi ceasefire could increase regional instability and pressure Washington to become more directly involved.

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U.S. diplomats met with Houthi representatives in Oman to discuss maintaining a ceasefire and ensuring the Bab al-Mandeb Strait remains open amid escalating regional tensions.

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18 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Hits 16-Month Streak of Zero Border Releases.

The Trump administration has set a new record in border security, marking 16 months of zero releases at the U.S.-Mexico border while significantly reducing illegal crossings and increasing drug seizures.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has announced 16 consecutive months of zero releases at the U.S.-Mexico border.
📺 DETAIL: On Wednesday, it was revealed that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) made zero releases at the border last month. This represents a record low and a decrease from the over 10,000 releases made under the Biden government in August 2024. CBP apprehended 8,870 migrants at the Southwest border in August, a five percent decrease from July. This also represents a 94 percent decline from the monthly average experienced under former President Joe Biden. “Border security starts with knowing who and what is entering our country – and controlling it on behalf of the American people… That means people who cross illegally are apprehended, detained and removed – not released into the United States. Our agents are enforcing that standard every day,” said CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott. Moreover, drug seizures increased 61 percent compared to the average of last four years. Drug seizures also increased 73 percent compared with the Biden government during the same period. In particular, cocaine seizures increased by 28 percent, and precursor chemical seizures exceeded 120,000 pounds.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Catch and release is over, consequences are back, and illegal crossings have fallen to historic lows. President Trump made a promise to the American people that he would make America safe again, and he has done just that by giving us the most secure border in American history.” – Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin
🎯 IMPACT: This represents a major achievement for the Trump administration, which has put border enforcement and immigration control at the forefront of its policy program. The data draws a sharp contrast with the Biden government, which was widely criticized for its failure to curb illegal crossings of the U.S.-Mexico border.
📺 FLASHBACK: Back in June, CBP announced that it had a record-breaking 21,471 agents on staff, the highest in the agency’s history. “Surpassing 21,000 agents is a milestone, but we aren’t stopping here and are committed to growing our workforce and providing the tools and resources needed for CBP’s mission… Our focus is on bringing in top talent and supporting our agents so they can succeed,” said Human Resources Management Assistant Commissioner Andrea Bright.

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The Trump administration has set a new record in border security, marking 16 months of zero releases at the U.S.-Mexico border while significantly reducing illegal crossings and increasing drug seizures.

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19 hours ago
News
Politics

Abdul El-Sayed Refuses to Return Donations From Groups Linked to Terrorism.

Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing scrutiny over campaign donations from individuals linked to organizations with known ties to terror groups, dismissing criticism as racially motivated.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Michigan Democrat Senate nominee Abdul El-Sayed defended accepting campaign contributions from donors affiliated with the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), rejecting calls from Republican opponent Mike Rogers to return the money. On Tuesday, El-Sayed was asked whether he would give back donations from CAIR-linked individuals, and insisted he would not.
📺 DETAIL: El-Sayed’s campaign received more than $115,000 from at least 41 people who have worked for, previously worked for, or held leadership positions with CAIR. Rogers has argued that the contributions should be returned, citing CAIR’s history of alleged ties to Hamas and its designation as a terrorist organization by the United Arab Emirates (UAE), as well as Florida and Texas. CAIR was also named as an unindicted co-conspirator in the federal Holy Land Foundation terrorism-financing case. El-Sayed claims CAIR is a civil rights organization and accused Rogers of attempting to make the Senate race about his ethnicity and Muslim faith. The controversy comes as El-Sayed also faces scrutiny over his association with far-left streamer Hasan Piker, who has previously said “America deserved 9/11” and openly supported the terrorist Houthis. 
💬 KEY QUOTE: “That civil rights organization [CAIR] exists because people like Mike Rogers want to make this race about the color of my skin or how I pray.” – Abdul El-Sayed
🎯 IMPACT: The controversy could intensify scrutiny of Abdul El-Sayed’s campaign financing and his relationships with Islamic advocacy groups as the Michigan Senate race moves toward its fall debates. It also gives Republicans an opportunity to focus the campaign on questions surrounding terrorism-related allegations and associations.

Image by Conlan Houston.

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Democrat Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed is facing scrutiny over campaign donations from individuals linked to organizations with known ties to terror groups, dismissing criticism as racially motivated.

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