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Monday, February 9, 2026
42 minutes ago
Jack Montgomery
Media

Top News Outlet FAKES NatSec Bombshell, Aided by Anti-Trump Impeachment Lawyer.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Guardian newspaper falsely reported that the National Security Agency (NSA) detected a call involving foreign intelligence and “a person close to Trump.” In fact, the call was between two people associated with foreign intelligence who merely “discussed” a third party close to Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Guardian reporter Cate Brown, Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, Gabbard’s deputy chief of staff Alexa Henning, and lawyer Andrew P. Bakaj.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 2026, the false report by The Guardian was rebutted on X (formerly Twitter).

💬KEY QUOTE: “Your story is false… Your leaker lied to you.” – Alexa Henning

🎯IMPACT: The Guardian issued a correction, undermining the credibility of the newspaper and the related accusations against the Trump administration peddled by lawyer Andrew P. Bakaj, who helped orchestrate the first impeachment effort against President Donald J. Trump in 2019.

IN FULL

A false report by Guardian U.S. political enterprise reporter Cate Brown has been amended after Alexa Henning, chief of staff to Director of National Intelligence (DNI) Tulsi Gabbard, publicly challenged it on social media. Brown had inaccurately reported that “The NSA detected a phone call between foreign intelligence and a person close to Trump last spring,” based on the claims of a lawyer involved in 2019 impeachment efforts against President Donald J. Trump.

Responding to this allegation, Henning stated on X that the story was false, telling Brown, “Your leaker lied to you. And you ignored our requests to give us time to get you accurate information and published your story before we could respond.” She went on to describe Brown as “a total loser” being manipulated by her sources, likely in Congress, “to leak highly classified information.”

A subsequent amendment to The Guardian‘s report vindicated Henning, clarifying that “the phone call was between two people associated with foreign intelligence who discussed someone close to Donald Trump, not between someone and a person close to Trump.” The newspaper shifted blame for its initial false report by claiming it was “based on multiple phone calls with a source who later said he misspoke and clarified the actual details of the call”—but declined to apologize for rushing to publication without giving Gabbard’s office time to respond.

Notably, the “person close to Trump” is reportedly not even an administration official or special government employee.

This incident forms part of a broader partisan narrative involving a whistleblower complaint that Gabbard had allegedly delayed sending to Congress due to classification issues. Notably, the whistleblower’s attorney is Andrew P. Bakaj, who previously served as lead attorney for the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer who helped trigger the first, failed impeachment of President Trump during his first term.

That whistleblower was subsequently revealed to have direct ties to the Biden family’s business affairs in Ukraine.

Image by Bryantbob.

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1 hour ago
News
Politics

Mamdani Slammed as NYC Left Mired in ‘Garbage Soup’ After Storm.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani (D) has been critcized for his handling of snow and garbage cleanup after a storm.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zohran Mamdani, Real Time with Bill Maher host Bill Maher, New York City residents, and city workers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The criticism followed a snowstorm in New York City on the weekend of January 25, discussed on February 2 on Real Time with Bill Maher.

💬KEY QUOTE: “A week after the snowstorm and this is what we got Zoron the Shoveler! Filthy black snow, garbage soup, ice rinks on every corner, cars buried like fossils,” complained actor Michael Rapaport.

🎯IMPACT: The incident has drawn negative attention to Mamdani’s leadership and the city’s response to extreme weather conditions.

IN FULL

Democrat New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani’s handling of snow and garbage removal after a major winter storm was criticized on Real Time with Bill Maher recently. Responding to reports that Mamdani allowed basic sanitation services to fall by the wayside following the storm—while his own Gracie Mansion official residence was kept “pristine”—Maher, who has previously described Mamdani as a “straight up communist,” said, “Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss.”

The snowstorm hit the city during the weekend of January 25, dumping heavy snow across many neighborhoods. More than a week later, residents in some areas continued to report heaps of uncollected trash, icy sidewalks, and large piles of dirty snow. Actor Michael Rapaport joined the criticism on social media, posting that “Zoron the Shoveler” had left the streets filled with “filthy black snow, garbage soup, ice rinks on every corner, cars buried like fossils.”

Mamdani a Democratic Socialist originally from Uganda, has faced scrutiny on several fronts early in his tenure. Recent reporting has highlighted his public push for expansive sanctuary protections for illegal immigrants, which he has linked to his Islamic faith, as well as criticism over his aides and appointments. One key ally is tied to a law firm accused in court filings of major fraud, and another, put in a leadership position in the corrections department, is a former Rikers Island inmate.

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2 hours ago
News
World

Who is Jimmy Lai, and Why Did He Just Get 20 Years for Opposing Chinese Communism?

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Hong Kong court sentenced Jimmy Lai to 20 years in prison, intensifying tensions between the U.S. and China.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Business tycoon and democracy advocate Jimmy Lai, the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), President Donald J. Trump, and other global leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The sentence was handed down on February 9, 2026, in Hong Kong.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I feel so badly,” Trump remarked after Lai’s conviction in December.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling could complicate upcoming U.S.-China negotiations and has drawn international criticism.

IN FULL

Jimmy Lai, a prominent Hong Kong media tycoon and outspoken critic of the Chinese Communist Party (CCP), has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a Hong Kong court. This marks the harshest penalty handed down under the city’s Beijing-imposed national security law to date.

Born in mainland China in 1947, Lai fled to British-run Hong Kong as a 12-year-old stowaway on a fishing boat, escaping poverty and political repression. He started as a child laborer in a glove factory and later built a successful business empire, most notably founding the casual clothing chain Giordano in 1981, which later expanded internationally. The 1989 Tiananmen Square crackdown shifted his focus toward advocacy for democracy and freedoms in mainland China. In 1995, ahead of Hong Kong’s handover to China, Lai launched Apple Daily, a tabloid-style newspaper funded largely with his own money. It became known for its bold, pro-democracy stance, sharp criticism of Beijing, and extensive coverage of Hong Kong’s political issues, including the 2019 pro-democracy protests

Lai converted to Catholicism in 1997, the year Hong Kong was handed over to China by the British government, and was baptized by dissident Cardinal Joseph Zen. His faith has been a profound source of strength, with family members noting that it sustains him through scripture study during his imprisonment, though he has been denied access to sacraments like Holy Communion. Lai has described his commitment to staying in Hong Kong and facing persecution as rooted in his Catholic beliefs, viewing his suffering as aligned with Christian principles of human dignity and resistance to injustice.

Hong Kong’s history as a British colony for over 150 years, from 1842 until the 1997 handover, provided a backdrop of relative freedoms that shaped Lai’s life and activism. Under British rule, the territory enjoyed civil liberties such as freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religion. Residents could practice faiths openly, with religious groups operating without state interference, and the rule of law offered protections not available in mainland China.

The Sino-British Joint Declaration of 1984 promised Hong Kong a “high degree of autonomy” for 50 years under a “one country, two systems” framework, guaranteeing these freedoms until 2047. However, China has repeatedly breached this treaty, through actions like imposing national security law and electoral reforms that eroded autonomy and led to a crackdown on the freedoms that Lai fought to preserve.

Lai’s Catholicism places him within a broader context of religious persecution in China, where the government exerts tight control over Christianity in general and Catholicism in particular. The Chinese Communist Party views unregulated faith as a threat, mandating “sinicization” to align religious doctrine with communist ideology. This includes surveillance, arrests, church demolitions, and forced registration with state-sanctioned bodies like the Catholic Patriotic Association, while underground Catholics face detention and torture. Such Persecution has intensified under President Xi Jinping, affecting millions, with unregistered churches raided and leaders imprisoned.

Lai emerged as a key figure in 2019 protests against Beijing’s growing influence over Hong Kong. Authorities accused him of playing a prominent role in advocating for international involvement. He has been in custody since 2020, facing multiple charges. In earlier cases, he was convicted of fraud and organizing unauthorized assemblies related to protests. The most recent conviction, delivered in December 2025, involved conspiracy to collude with foreign forces under the national security law and conspiracy to publish seditious material, citing numerous Apple Daily articles. The national security law, enacted in 2020, has been widely criticized for criminalizing dissent and eroding Hong Kong’s freedoms. Apple Daily was forced to close in 2021.

Lai’s 20-year sentence—within the “grave nature” category that can range from 10 years to life—has been described by critics as effectively a life term for the now-78-year-old, who may not be eligible for parole until his late 90s. The ruling has drawn sharp international condemnation. The United States, the United Kingdom (where Lai holds citizenship), the European Union (EU), and human rights groups calling it unjust, politically motivated, and a violation of press freedom and human rights standards.

The United Nations (UN) Human Rights Commission urged his immediate release on humanitarian grounds, citing his age and health after years in detention.

U.S. President Donald J. Trump, who had previously raised Lai’s case directly with Chinese President Xi Jinping, expressed sympathy following Lai’s conviction in mid-December. “I feel so badly,” Trump said. “I spoke to President Xi about it, and I asked to consider his release. He’s not well. He’s an older man and he’s not well, so I did put that request out. We’ll see what happens.”

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4 hours ago
News
UK

WATCH: Farage Moves to Election ‘War Footing’ as Epstein Scandal Threatens to Bring Down UK Govt.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Nigel Farage announced he is putting his Reform Party on a “general election war footing” at a rally in Birmingham, England, on Monday, as a Jeffrey Epstein-related scandal threatens to bring down Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Nigel Farage and the Reform Party, Keir Starmer and the Labour Party, Starmer’s former ambassador to the U.S., Lord Peter Mandelson, and Mandelson’s deceased “best pal” Jeffrey Epstein.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February 9, 2026, in Birmingham, England.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The Mandelson saga tells you all that you need to know. Its depths, the numbers of people that it involves, the sheer level of corruption is probably the biggest political scandal we’ve seen for a hundred years.” – Nigel Farage

🎯IMPACT: The Mandelson-Epstein scandal has put Prime Minister Starmer’s position in jeopardy, with calls for his resignation from senior Labour colleagues.

IN FULL

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage is putting his party on a general election “war footing” as a scandal involving the now-former British ambassador to the U.S., Lord Peter Mandelson, and deceased pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein threatens to bring down Starmer’s government.

Starmer appointed Mandelson, a former European Commissioner and Cabinet member under prime ministers Tony Blair and Gordon Brown, as ambassador to the U.S., despite a history of prior scandals in high office and his known friendship with Epstein. Mandelson had to resign his ambassadorship following further revelations of his relationship with the sex trafficker, with the scandal deepening after even more recent revelations suggesting he shared confidential information with Epstein during Brown’s premiership.

Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, has already been ousted in the fallout from the Mandelson scandal, although Starmer himself is insisting he will not resign as of the time of publication.

Speaking at a rally in Birmingham, England, Farage noted that the leader of the Labour Party in Scotland, Anas Sarwar, has now called for Starmer to go, and that the Prime Minister has to meet Labour Members of Parliament (MPs) this evening, where they may demand his resignation.

“[T]he political life of the most unpopular and the most useless Prime Minister in living memory is drawing to a close,” Farage said at the rally, adding: “The Mandelson saga tells you all that you need to know. Its depths, the number of people that it involves, the sheer level of corruption is probably the biggest political scandal we’ve seen for a hundred years, and it’s not as if the PM wasn’t warned.”

“He won’t be there for long. He’ll be gone, and replaced by someone undoubtedly far worse,” Farage suggested, noting how the previously governing Conservatives took “14 long years” to destroy their reputation while Starmer’s Labour Party has managed it in a matter of 18 months.

Municipal elections across Britain, which Farage likened to the U.S. midterms at the rally, are due in May, even if a snap general election is not called.

This story is developing…

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5 hours ago
Crime
News

The Cartels Are Blending Fentanyl With Chinese Animal Tranquilizer to Boost Addiction.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Medetomidine, a potent animal sedative known as “rhino tranq,” is increasingly being used as an adulterant in fentanyl distributed on American streets.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Drug cartels and public health officials monitoring illicit drug trends.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Public health alerts indicate medetomidine’s presence in cities such as New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago as of February 2026.

🎯IMPACT: The rise of medetomidine in street drugs poses significant public health risks and complicates efforts to combat the opioid crisis.

IN FULL

Drug traffickers are increasingly adding medetomidine, a powerful animal tranquilizer, to illicit fentanyl supplies in the United States, according to public health officials and law enforcement agencies. The drug, which is approved only for veterinary use, has been detected in seized samples in cities including New York, Philadelphia, and Chicago, raising new concerns about the growing unpredictability of the illicit opioid market.

Medetomidine belongs to the same class of sedatives as xylazine, a veterinary drug already widespread in the fentanyl supply. Toxicologists warn medetomidine is significantly more potent, capable of causing extreme sedation, dangerously slowed heart rates, and prolonged unconsciousness. Its presence also complicates overdose response, as naloxone can reverse fentanyl’s opioid effects but does not counteract non-opioid sedatives, leaving some overdose victims unresponsive even after treatment.

U.S. officials say the substance is legally manufactured overseas for animal use, then diverted into illicit supply chains. As with fentanyl, precursor chemicals and finished drugs are believed to move through Mexico-based cartels before being trafficked into the United States. The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) has reported changes in the composition of seized fentanyl, with medetomidine appearing alongside or replacing other adulterants.

The trend comes as federal authorities seek to combat broader cartel activity affecting the U.S. According to recent reporting, Mexican drug cartels have expanded operations beyond trafficking, including recruiting teenagers inside the United States to carry out targeted killings on their behalf. Prosecutors have said such cases demonstrate how cartels exploit legal and social vulnerabilities to advance their operations.

However, provisional data cited in recent reports show U.S. overdose deaths declining by roughly one-fifth compared with previous years, amid intensified pressure on cartel networks and drug trafficking routes routes by the Trump administration. Notably, President Donald J. Trump has confirmed plans for land-based military strikes targeting cartel infrastructure, following a wave of strikes on cartel boats in the Caribbean Sea and Pacific Ocean, believed to have eliminated dozens of narco-terrorists.

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6 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Illegal Vegas ‘Biolab’ Linked to Chinese and Israeli Nationals Leaves Several People ‘Deathly Ill.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Authorities have sent over 1,000 pieces of evidence and unknown substances for testing after a suspected illegal biolab was discovered in Las Vegas, Nevada.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Local law enforcement, including the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and two foreign nationals, including the Chinese property owner and the French-Israeli property manager.

📍WHEN & WHERE: February, 2026, in Las Vegas, Nevada.

🎯IMPACT: Several people fell “deathly ill” after staying at the property where the alleged biolab—which also served as an Airbnb—was located. Its Chinese owner is linked to another alleged biolab in California, which contained materials including suspected strains of COVID-19, hepatitis, and HIV.

IN FULL

Authorities in Las Vegas, Nevada, are investigating a suspected illegal biological laboratory discovered in a residential home in the Sunrise Manor area that also operated as an Airbnb. Court documents obtained by KLAS indicate that several people who spent time inside the property became “deathly ill.”

The investigation gained momentum following a tip to authorities, including reports from a former house cleaner who entered the locked garage and noted a foul, hospital-like smell—described as stale and stagnant rather than clean. Several days later, two people reportedly became gravely ill after exposure to the area.

On January 31, 2026, the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department (LVMPD) and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) executed search warrants at the home on Sugar Springs Drive, along with another property. The multi-day operation, concluding early on February 2, uncovered what police described as a “possible biological laboratory.” Items recovered included refrigerators and freezers containing vials with unknown liquids—some reddish or red-brown—along with bio-safety equipment, centrifuges, and other materials stored in a locked garage.

More than 1,000 pieces of evidence and unidentified substances were collected and submitted for testing at FBI laboratories to determine their nature and any potential hazards. LVMPD Sheriff Kevin McMahill noted during a press conference that the items appear “consistent in appearance” with those recovered from a similar alleged biolab case in Reedley, California, in 2023, where materials were linked to possible infectious diseases such as hepatitis, COVID-19, and HIV. Notably, the California and Nevada properties are owned by the same person.

The probe has resulted in charges against two foreign nationals. The first suspect is property owner David He, a Chinese national possibly tied to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) who is already in federal custody related to the California case, and has pleaded not guilty to associated charges. The second suspect is Ori Solomon, the property manager for the Sugar Springs Drive property and another property on Temple View Drive. Solomon, who holds French and Israeli passports and is in the U.S. on a non-immigrant visa, was initially booked into the Clark County Detention Center on state charges of disposing of and discharging hazardous waste. He also faces federal accusations of illegally possessing firearms.

A federal judge later ordered Solomon’s release on personal recognizance bond, with conditions including surrendering his passports and restrictions on travel.

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February 8, 2026
News

British Prime Minister’s Chief of Staff Resigns in Latest Epstein Scalp.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, Morgan McSweeney, resigned amidst backlash over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., following revelations of Mandelson’s ties to Jeffrey Epstein.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer, Lord Peter Mandelson, Labour MPs, and opposition leaders, including Kemi Badenoch and Nigel Farage.

📍WHEN & WHERE: McSweeney’s resignation occurred on February 8, 2026, as pressure mounted on Starmer’s government in London.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country, and trust in politics itself.” – Morgan McSweeney

🎯IMPACT: The resignation deepens the crisis for Sir Keir Starmer’s government, with mounting calls for his resignation and a no-confidence vote from opposition leaders and Labour MPs.

IN FULL

Morgan McSweeney, Sir Keir Starmer’s chief of staff, has resigned following backlash over the appointment of Lord Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the U.S. McSweeney admitted that advising Starmer to appoint Mandelson, who has been linked to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, was a mistake. “The decision to appoint Peter Mandelson was wrong. He has damaged our party, our country, and trust in politics itself,” McSweeney stated in his resignation letter.

The resignation comes amidst a growing scandal surrounding Mandelson’s connections to Epstein, which have sparked outrage among Labour MPs and opposition figures. The links were reported by The National Pulse over a year ago, with Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam telling the late Charlie Kirk about the matter on air, urging President Trump to refuse Mandelson’s credentials.

Tory leader Kemi Badenoch accused Starmer of deflecting responsibility, stating, “Keir Starmer has to take responsibility for his own terrible decisions. But he never does.” Reform UK leader Nigel Farage suggested Starmer’s leadership is on borrowed time, predicting, “My money says Starmer won’t be far behind after Labour’s disaster in the elections this coming May.”

McSweeney, a close ally of Starmer for nearly six years and an architect of Labour’s electoral success, has been a key figure in the Prime Minister’s operation. It is unclear if Starmer would even be able to cling on to power without McSweeney by his side.

The resignation is seen as a desperate attempt to maintain power amidst plummeting approval ratings and internal party dissent.

Polling shows that a full 55 percent of voters believe Starmer should resign, with only 23 percent supporting his continued tenure as Prime Minister. The police are now actively investigating Mandelson and his links to Epstein, including payments made to his gay lover Reinaldo, who briefly lived with him at the British Ambassador’s Residence in Washington, D.C.

As Starmer faces mounting pressure to resign, allies within the Labour Party are reportedly positioning themselves for potential leadership bids. Angela Rayner, Wes Streeting, and Ed Miliband are among those speculated to be maneuvering for leadership roles.

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February 7, 2026
News

‘Hims’ Halts Semaglutide Pill One Day After The National Pulse’s Report.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Hims announced it will stop offering access to its untested compounded semaglutide pill.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hims and its woke CEO.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The decision was made following a report by The National Pulse on Friday, February 6th.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We’ve had constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry.” – Hims

🎯IMPACT: The company aims to continue providing safe, affordable, and personalized care to Americans.

IN FULL

Just one day after The National Pulse’s report on Hims, its woke CEO, and its unproven GLP-1 knockoff drugs, the company has announced it will stop offering access to its compounded semaglutide pill.

The decision comes as Hims states that since launching the pill on its platform, it has engaged in “constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry.”

As a result, Hims has decided to cease offering this particular treatment.

The announcement follows scrutiny over the company’s preparations and the safety of its products.

This weekend, the firm is set to air a populist-left ad at the Super Bowl, claiming it can bring ordinary consumers the healthcare standards of the hyper-elite for a fraction of the price.

The company’s claims have been widely mocked. They also concerned Trump administration insiders so much that an immediate investigation was ordered this week by Health and Human Services Counsel Mike Stuart, who wrote on X: “Based on a review of the applicable facts, earlier today @HHSOGC referred Hims & Hers Health, Inc. (“Hims”) to the Department of Justice for investigation for potential violations by Hims of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act and applicable Title 18 provisions.”

HHS Title 18 covers criminal fraud, false statements, and conspiracy laws used to police abuse of federal health programs.

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Article image via Hims press release.

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February 7, 2026
News

Trump Backs Major Media Merger: ‘GET THAT DEAL DONE!’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump called for more competition against mainstream media networks.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Nexstar, and Tegna.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Saturday morning on Truth Social.

💬KEY QUOTE: “GET THAT DEAL DONE!” – President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: The potential for increased media competition and a challenge to mainstream networks.

IN FULL

In a recent post on Truth Social, President Donald J. Trump emphasized the need for more competition against what he termed “THE ENEMY,” referring to the Fake News National TV Networks.

He suggested that allowing deals like the one between Nexstar and Tegna to proceed would help diminish the influence of these networks by fostering competition at a higher and more sophisticated level.

President Trump expressed confidence that those opposing the deal do not yet understand its benefits, but will come to realize its value in the future.

He concluded his post with a strong call to action, urging, “GET THAT DEAL DONE!” to ensure the potential benefits are realized.

Screenshot

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February 6, 2026
Crime
News

Young Woman Set on Fire by Career Criminal in Chicago Finally Leaves Hospital.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A woman who was set on fire on a Chicago subway train has been released from the hospital three months after the attack.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Victim Bethany MaGee, 26, and suspect Lawrence Reed, 50.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The attack occurred in November 2025 on Chicago’s Blue Line subway; MaGee was hospitalized at Stroger Hospital.

💬KEY QUOTE: “My family and I are grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone, and we want to sincerely thank everyone who has offered support, kindness, and encouragement during this time.” – Bethany MaGee

🎯IMPACT: The attack has raised concerns about judicial leniency after the suspect, who has a lengthy criminal record, was released despite warnings from prosecutors.

IN FULL

Bethany MaGee, 26, has been released from Stroger Hospital in Chicago, Illinois, nearly three months after she was set on fire during a brutal, random attack on a CTA Blue Line subway train. MaGee suffered burns to roughly 60 percent of her body in the November 2025 attack, which prosecutors allege was carried out by Lawrence Reed, 50.

In a statement marking her discharge, MaGee expressed appreciation for those who supported her during her recovery. “My family and I are grateful to be able to celebrate this milestone, and we want to sincerely thank everyone who has offered support, kindness, and encouragement during this time,” she said. She also praised the medical staff, thanking the Stroger Hospital burn team for their “exceptional care, compassion, and expertise.”

Prosecutors say Reed poured gasoline on MaGee inside the subway car and ignited it while yelling, “Burn alive, b***h!” Surveillance video reportedly captured the attack. MaGee was able to escape the train at the Clark and Lake station, where bystanders rushed to help extinguish the flames and provide aid until emergency responders arrived.

Reed had a lengthy criminal history, with authorities saying he had been arrested more than 70 times prior to the attack. Prosecutors had previously warned that he posed a serious threat and that his next offense would “likely be violent.” Despite those warnings, he was released from custody by liberal Cook County Judge Teresa Molina-Gonzalez following an earlier arrest in August 2025, who said dismissively, “I understand your position, but I can’t keep everybody in jail because the State’s Attorney wants me to.”

The attack has intensified scrutiny of judicial decisions in Chicago, particularly regarding repeat offenders. Federal officials have warned city leaders that Chicago could risk losing federal transit funding if stronger safety measures are not implemented on public transportation following a series of violent incidents.

The case has also drawn comparisons to other high-profile transit crimes, including the fatal stabbing of Ukrainian refugee Iryna Zarutska on a light rail train in Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier in 2025, allegedly by a black male who shouted “I got that white girl” following the attack.

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