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Friday, December 19, 2025
27 minutes ago
William Upton
News

DOJ Begins Releasing Epstein Files: What We Know So Far.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) began releasing the federal government’s trove of files pertaining to deceased pedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein late Friday.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Jeffrey Epstein, former President Bill Clinton, Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s victims, JPMorgan, and banking executive Jes Staley.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The DOJ began releasing the first tranche of files late Friday, December 19, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that additional material on Epstein will be released over the coming weeks, with the DOJ still reviewing documents to ensure the identifying information of victims and legal minors is redacted.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) began releasing the federal government’s trove of files pertaining to deceased pedophile and financier Jeffrey Epstein late Friday. While thousands of pages of documents were released in the initial tranche, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that additional material on Epstein will be released over the coming weeks, with the DOJ still reviewing documents to ensure the identifying information of victims and legal minors is redacted.

Following the release, two items have drawn significant attention, the first being a series of photographs of former President Bill Clinton in a pool where another individual has their face blacked out—indicating they are likely one of Epstein‘s victims. In a second photo taken from what appears to be the same evening, Clinton can be seen in the pool along with the unknown individual and Ghislaine Maxwell.

However, the most illuminating item appears to be part of a grand jury filing, which alleges that former JPMorgan senior executive Jes Staley purposefully cultivated a close relationship with Epstein. This is alleged to have occurred when Staley served as the chief of JPMorgan’s private banking arm, which provided financial services for clients with at least $10 million in assets. In 2023, the bank paid a $75 million settlement stemming from its relationship with Epstein.

The National Pulse reported in October of this year that Epstein‘s banking and investment activities were more extensive than previously known, involving multiple banks and major transactions with hedge funds. The true extent of Epstein’s investment portfolio and banking ties was revealed after his estate provided Congress with a list of over 20 banks where he held accounts.

You can access the DOJ’s “Epstein Library” here.

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48 minutes ago
War

U.S. Forces Launch Strikes in Syria to Avenge ISIS Attack on American Troops.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. forces launched OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria, targeting the Islamic State (ISIS).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, and U.S. forces.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 19, 2025, in Syria.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance.” – Pete Hegseth

🎯IMPACT: The operation targeted ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites.

IN FULL

U.S. military forces initiated Operation Hawkeye Strike in Syria today, targeting Islamic State (ISIS) fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites. The operation, named in honor of the “Hawkeye State” of Iowa—home to two National Guardsmen killed in a recent attack—comes as a direct retaliation for the December 13 ambush in Palmyra, Syria, that claimed the lives of two American service members and a civilian interpreter.

In a forceful statement, U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth described the strikes: “Earlier today, U.S. forces commenced OPERATION HAWKEYE STRIKE in Syria to eliminate ISIS fighters, infrastructure, and weapons sites in direct response to the attack on U.S. forces that occurred on December 13th in Palmyra, Syria,” he wrote.

“This is not the beginning of a war — it is a declaration of vengeance. The United States of America, under President Trump’s leadership, will never hesitate and never relent to defend our people. As we said directly following the savage attack, if you target Americans — anywhere in the world — you will spend the rest of your brief, anxious life knowing the United States will hunt you, find you, and ruthlessly kill you,” Hegseth added.

The strikes hit dozens of suspected ISIS locations across Syria, building on recent counterterrorism efforts. The December 13 attack on U.S. troops, attributed to a lone gunman with alleged ISIS ties, marked the first U.S. fatalities in Syria since the ouster of former President Bashar al-Assad a year ago. President Trump had previously vowed serious retaliation, emphasizing unwavering defense of American personnel.

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1 hour ago
Crime

Trump Admin Arrests Nearly 300 Sexual Predators, Rescues 205 Children in Two-Week Operation.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) revealed that its Operation Relentless Justice has led to the rescue of 205 child abuse victims and the arrest of more than 293 child sex abuse offenders.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The operation involved all 56 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field offices, the Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), and U.S. Attorneys’ offices nationwide.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crackdown was executed over two weeks across the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice.” – Attorney General Pamela Bondi

🎯IMPACT: The operation underscores a continued commitment to protecting children and holding predators accountable, with significant arrests and rescues.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has announced the results of its Operation Relentless Justice, which saw all 56 Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) field offices and U.S. Attorneys across the nation work “to identify, track, and arrest child sex predators.” According to the DOJ, the operation succeeded in discovering and rescuing 205 child victims, while resulting in the arrest of more than 293 child sex abuse offenders.

Over a two-week period, federal law enforcement, led by the FBI and the DOJ Criminal Division’s Child Exploitation and Obscenity Section (CEOS), carried out investigations and raids across the country. “We will not allow evil criminals who prey on children to evade justice,” Attorney General Pam Bondi said of the operation, adding: “Our federal agents have worked tirelessly alongside our state and local partners to track down these vile predators, and now our prosecutors will ensure they receive severe punishments to match their horrific crimes.”

The federal-led operation saw close coordination between the Trump administration and state and local law enforcement. Disturbingly, the DOJ noted that among the offenses committed by those arrested were “the production, distribution, and possession of child sexual abuse material; online enticement and transportation of minors; and child sex trafficking.”

An airman in the United States Air Force and his wife were arrested in Dallas, Texas, for the alleged production of child sex abuse material (CSAM). Meanwhile, a police officer in Raleigh, North Carolina, was placed under custody after they attempted to distribute CSAM to an undercover federal agent with whom they also discussed their interest in sexually molesting children. An illegal immigrant from Guatemala—previously deported in 2011—was also among the arrestees, and has a long and violent criminal history.

“Operation Relentless Justice shows no child will be forgotten and that all predators targeting the most vulnerable amongst us will be held accountable,” FBI Director Kash Patel stated.

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2 hours ago
William Upton
Breaking

BREAKING: Stefanik Drops Out of NY Gov Race, Will Leave Congress.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) shocked the political world on Friday, announcing that she was dropping out of the 2026 New York governor race and would also not seek re-election to her seat in Congress.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elise Stefanik, Governor Kathy Hochul (D), and Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman (R).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Friday, December 19, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress. I did not come to this decision lightly for our family.” — Elise Stefanik

🎯IMPACT: With Blakeman’s GOP gubernatorial primary candidacy, Stefanik would likely have had to engage significant resources to ensure she secured the party nomination and prevent any surprise upset by the Nassau County executive’s “quixotic” campaign.

IN FULL

Congresswoman Elise Stefanik (R-NY) shocked the political world on Friday, announcing that she was dropping out of the 2026 New York governor race and would also not seek re-election to her seat in Congress. Recent polling has shown Stefanik in a statistical tie with incumbent Governor Kathy Hochul (D-NY); however, the entry of Nassau County executive Bruce Blakeman (R) in the state’s GOP gubernatorial primary likely complicated matters.

“While spending precious time with my family this Christmas season, I have made the decision to suspend my campaign for Governor and will not seek re-election to Congress. I did not come to this decision lightly for our family,” Stefanik wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter) late Friday afternoon. She continued: “I am truly humbled and grateful for the historic and overwhelming support from Republicans, Conservatives, Independents, and Democrats all across the state for our campaign to Save New York.”

“However, as we have seen in past elections, while we would have overwhelmingly won this primary, it is not an effective use of our time or your generous resources to spend the first half of next year in an unnecessary and protracted Republican primary, especially in a challenging state like New York,” she added.

Notably, with Blakeman’s primary candidacy, Stefanik would likely have had to engage significant resources to ensure she secured the party nomination and prevent any surprise upset by the Nassau County executive’s “quixotic” campaign. This diversion of funds would likely have left Stefanik at a difficult disadvantage in the general election race against Hochul.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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2 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Minnesota Somali Fraudster Pleads Guilty to Medicaid and Food Stamp Theft Scheme.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Asha Farhan Hassan pleaded guilty to wire fraud in connection with schemes to defraud Medicaid and a child food program in Minnesota.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Asha Farhan Hassan, six additional defendants, and federal prosecutors in Minnesota.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Hassan pleaded guilty on Thursday in Minnesota. The fraud schemes span several years.

💬KEY QUOTE: “To be clear, this is not an isolated scheme. From Feeding Our Future to Housing Stabilization Services and now Autism Services, these massive fraud schemes form a web that has stolen billions of dollars in taxpayer money. Each case we bring exposes another strand of this network. The challenge is immense, but our work continues.” – First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson

🎯IMPACT: The fraud schemes have raised concerns about oversight in Minnesota’s public programs and led to criticism of the state’s Democratic leadership, including Governor Tim Walz.

IN FULL

The first defendant in Minnesota’s sprawling Medicaid autism program fraud scandal pleaded guilty to one count of wire fraud on Thursday. Asha Farhan Hassan, 28, was part of a scheme defrauding Medicaid of $14 million in taxpayer dollars. Additionally, Hassan participated in a separate fraud scheme that saw the theft of $465,000 from a food assistance program for needy children.

Meanwhile, the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Minnesota announced new charges against six other defendants in what the Department of Justice (DOJ) describes as “staggering, industrial-scale fraud.” The schemes are part of a broader fraud conspiracy tied to the state’s Somali immigrant community, which is now believed to have seen the theft of an estimated $9 billion in taxpayer dollars.

“To be clear, this is not an isolated scheme. From Feeding Our Future to Housing Stabilization Services and now Autism Services, these massive fraud schemes form a web that has stolen billions of dollars in taxpayer money. Each case we bring exposes another strand of this network. The challenge is immense, but our work continues,” First Assistant U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said in September when the charges against Hassan were initially filed.

Evidence presented by federal prosecutors detailed how Hassan participated in fraudulent claims for a Medicaid program aimed at supporting children with Autism Spectrum Disorder and in the Feeding Our Future nonprofit, which misused state grants intended to provide meals to schoolchildren. Investigators allege much of the money was stolen, with few meals ever delivered. Thompson stated, “Every day, we look under a rock and find a new $50 million fraud scheme.”

Governor Tim Walz (D) has faced mounting criticism for his administration’s failure to take action against the fraud schemes. State government whistleblowers claim that Walz and other state officials were aware of the fraud network as early as 2019, but avoided taking legal action out of fear of being seen as “racist” by the powerful Minnesota Somali voter constituency.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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3 hours ago
Economy
Health

Trump Secures Major Pharma Deals to Slash U.S. Drug Prices.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Nine major pharmaceutical companies have agreed to lower drug prices in deals with President Donald J.  Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump and pharmaceutical companies, including Pfizer, AstraZeneca, Eli Lilly, Novo Nordisk, Merck, and others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The agreements were finalized on Friday in the United States.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This represents the greatest victory for patient affordability in the history of American health care, by far, and every single American will benefit.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The agreements aim to reduce U.S. drug prices and include selling treatments to Medicaid patients at the lowest “most favored nation” price.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has finalized agreements with nine major U.S. and European pharmaceutical companies to lower their drug prices for American consumers, in line with the prices they charge in other countries. The agreements with Amgen, Bristol Myers Squibb, Boehringer Ingelheim, Genentech, Gilead Sciences, GSK, Merck, Novartis, and Sanofi were announced by President Trump during an event at the White House on Friday afternoon alongside the executive leadership of the drug companies.

“As of today, 14 out of the 17 largest pharmaceutical companies … have now agreed to drastically lower drug prices for … the American people and the American patients,” Trump said at the event, adding: “This represents the greatest victory for patient affordability in the history of American health care, by far, and every single American will benefit.”

Absent from the group were Johnson & Johnson, AbbVie, and Regeneron. However, the President noted that executives from Johnson & Johnson would be at the White House next week to finalize their own agreement.

The establishment of most-favored-nation pricing models is expected to substantially lower prescription costs for Americans as the pharmaceutical deals take effect. Trump has accused other nations of engaging in what he terms “global freeloading,” in which foreign drug prices are essentially subsidized through higher costs being passed on to American consumers.

The agreements are a significant win for the Trump White House, as the industry’s massive trade association, PhRMA, has continually pushed hard against the most-favored-nation pricing policy.

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3 hours ago
Immigration
NatSec

Research Visa Holder from China Charged with Smuggling E. Coli Into U.S.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) announced charges against a Chinese post-doctoral researcher for attempting to smuggle E. coli bacteria into the U.S.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FBI Director Kash Patel, Chinese researcher Youhuang Xiang, and U.S. authorities from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Federal charges against Xiang were announced on Friday, December 19, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is yet another example of a researcher from China – given the privilege to work at a U.S. university – who then allegedly chose to take part in a scheme to circumvent U.S. laws and receive biological materials hidden in a package originating from China.” — Kash Patel

🎯IMPACT: The arrest is just the latest to involve a foreign research visa holder attempting to illegally smuggle prohibited biological materials into the United States.

IN FULL

Federal charges were filed on Friday against a Chinese national in the United States on a J-1 academic research visa who was caught attempting to smuggle Escherichia coli (E. coli) bacteria cultures into the country. According to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel, the charges were brought against Youhuang Xiang after it was discovered that he intended to receive a package originating from China containing prohibited biological materials.

“Youhuang Xiang, a post-doctoral researcher and J-1 visa holder from China, was charged with smuggling Escherichia coli (E. coli) into the U.S. and making false statements about it,” Patel wrote in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He continued: “This is yet another example of a researcher from China—given the privilege to work at a U.S. university—who then allegedly chose to take part in a scheme to circumvent U.S. laws and receive biological materials hidden in a package originating from China.”

“The FBI will not tolerate any attempt to exploit our nation’s institutions for illegal activity—as we have seen in this case and the three Chinese nationals charged in Michigan in November for allegedly smuggling biological materials into the U.S. on several occasions,” Patel added.

In addition, Director Patel reiterated that American research and academic institutions must remain vigilant against the abuse of visa programs and illegal activity by visa holders. There has been a concerning number of potential national security incidents in the U.S. in recent years involving foreign nationals conducting research in the country, including attempts to smuggle dangerous biological material and the theft of sensitive research and technology.

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4 hours ago
News

Deputy AG Blanche Confirms Admin Will Miss Epstein Files Deadline.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche admitted the Trump administration will miss its deadline to release all Epstein files, stating some documents would be delayed.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, President Donald J. Trump, and the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The U.S. government’s Epstein files were slated to be released on Friday, December 19, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I expect that we’re going to release more documents over the next couple of weeks.” – Todd Blanche

🎯IMPACT: Critics have accused the DOJ of failing to meet legal transparency requirements, with some alleging a cover-up.

IN FULL

U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche is cautioning that the Department of Justice (DOJ) will likely—for the most part—miss its Friday deadline to release federal government files related to deceased convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, despite a law signed by President Donald J. Trump mandating their disclosure. According to Blanche, several hundred thousand documents will still be released on Friday, but additional materials will continually be released over the “next couple weeks.”

Blanche, speaking with media, explained that the delay was necessary to protect victims, adding that the DOJ was reviewing every document to ensure sensitive information remains confidential. “So today several hundred thousand and then over the next couple weeks, I expect several hundred thousand more,” he stated, emphasizing the department’s focus on safeguarding victim identities.

The law, signed by President Trump 30 days prior, requires the DOJ to release all unclassified records related to Epstein, Ghislaine Maxwell, and the investigations into their criminal activities. Blanche’s announcement that some of the documents pertaining to Epstein will be delayed in their release is already drawing criticism and allegations that the agency is failing to comply with the law.

New York University (NYU) law professor Ryan Goodman accused the Trump administration of a “cover-up” in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He noted that the Epstein Files Transparency Act requires the DOJ to make all unclassified documents and other materials available in a publicly searchable and downloadable format.

Meanwhile, Representatives Jamie Raskin (D-MD) and Robert Garcia (D-CA) accused President Trump and the DOJ of breaking the law and threatened to pursue legal action. “Donald Trump and the Department of Justice are now violating federal law as they continue covering up the facts and the evidence about Jeffrey Epstein’s decades-long, billion-dollar, international sex trafficking ring. For months, Pam Bondi has denied survivors the transparency and accountability they have demanded and deserve and has defied the Oversight Committee’s subpoena,” the Democrat lawmakers wrote in a joint statement.

They added: “Courts around the country have repeatedly intervened when this Administration has broken the law. We are now examining all legal options in the face of this violation of federal law.”

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4 hours ago
Election Integrity
News

Georgia’s Fulton County Admits to Counting 315,000 Uncertified Votes in 2020.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Fulton County admitted to counting approximately 315,000 early votes from the 2020 election without poll workers’ signatures.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: David Cross, a local election integrity activist, Ann Brumbaugh, attorney for the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, and 2020 candidates Donald Trump and Joe Biden.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 2025, during a hearing before the Georgia State Election Board.

💬KEY QUOTE: “These are not clerical errors. They are catastrophic breaks in chain of custody and certification.” – David Cross

🎯IMPACT: The admission reinforces questions about election integrity in Fulton County and the legitimacy of the 2020 election.

IN FULL

Fulton County, Georgia, has admitted that roughly 315,000 early votes from the 2020 election were counted despite lacking required poll worker signatures on tabulation tapes, violating state law. The confirmation came at a December hearing of the Georgia State Election Board (SEB), related to a complaint brought by David Cross, an election integrity advocate in the area.

Cross submitted his complaint to the SEB back in March 2022, claiming Fulton County broke Georgia rules by tabulating votes without the mandated signatures on the tapes. Ann Brumbaugh, attorney for the Fulton County Board of Registration and Elections, acknowledged the missing signatures, saying the county does “not dispute that the tapes were not signed.”

An investigation by the Georgia Secretary of State’s Office verified that Fulton County did not follow proper procedures for signing the tabulation tapes. It also uncovered additional issues, including polling locations that did not verify their tapes.

In his presentation, Cross highlighted these problems, pointing to polling sites running at odd times and repeated scanner serial numbers. “These are not clerical errors. They are catastrophic breaks in chain of custody and certification,” he stressed.

Cross is calling on the SEB to sanction Fulton County and for the state to decertify the county’s 2020 early voting results. Notably, President Donald J. Trump “lost” Georgia to former President Joe Biden by only 11,779 votes.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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5 hours ago
News

Trump Reacted With ‘Shock’ and ‘Outrage’ at Epstein’s Death in Federal Custody: Former AG.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former Attorney General Bill Barr revealed details about informing President Donald J. Trump of Jeffrey Epstein’s death in federal custody in 2019.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Bill Barr, President Trump, Jeffrey Epstein, and federal investigators.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Epstein died in federal custody in 2019; Barr recounted the incident in a podcast released on Friday, December 19, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “You won’t believe this, but Epstein committed suicide,” Barr said of his conversation with Trump, who responded, “How in the hell did that happen?”

🎯IMPACT: Epstein’s death has fueled conspiracy theories and ongoing public scrutiny, while Barr dismissed claims of malice, citing incompetence as a more likely explanation.

IN FULL

Former U.S. Attorney General Bill Barr shared new details regarding the moment he informed President Donald J. Trump of convicted pedophile Jeffrey Epstein’s death in federal custody during a podcast appearance on Friday. Epstein was found dead in 2019, an event that has since been surrounded by public skepticism toward the official explanation of suicide.

“I called him as soon as I heard about it,” Barr said, recounting the moment. “I was sitting in my library at home and my chief of staff called and said, ‘Hey Bill, there’s been a real f**k up.’ He said, ‘It appears he committed suicide,’ and he was an important prisoner… Jesus Christ, what the hell’s going on here?” Barr says he immediately contacted President Trump to inform him of the incident.

According to Barr, Trump reacted with shock and outrage, saying, “How in the hell did that happen?” Barr added that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), the inspector general, and the Bureau of Prisons (BOP) were all tasked with investigating the circumstances surrounding Epstein’s death.

Barr also addressed the speculation and theories surrounding Epstein’s death, stating that a mentor once advised him, “Don’t ascribe malice where stupidity is a sufficient explanation.” He laughed off the idea of a sophisticated cover-up, suggesting incompetence was a more plausible explanation.

Barr also dismissed Democrat attempts to tie President Trump to Epstein’s crimes by forcing the release of government files on the convicted pedophile, noting, “Let’s get serious. This is not the thing that is going to show Trump did anything wrong.”

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