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Monday, February 16, 2026
12 minutes ago
UK

Britain’s Far-Left Govt Tried to CANCEL Elections. Nigel Farage Just Stopped Them.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Government reversed its decision to postpone elections across 30 councils this May following a legal challenge.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Local Government Secretary Steve Reed, Reform UK led by Nigel Farage, and Liberal Democrats leader Sir Ed Davey.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The announcement was made on Monday, with elections now scheduled for May 2026 across 30 councils in England.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We took this Labour government to court and won. Only Reform UK fights for democracy.” – Nigel Farage.

🎯IMPACT: The Government’s U-turn ensures elections will proceed as planned, with political parties reacting strongly to the reversal.

IN FULL

Britain’s far-left Labour Party government has dropped its controversial plan to delay elections for 30 local councils—municipal governments—this May, largely because a legal challenge by the anti-establishment party Reform UK, led by Nigel Farage, threatened to block the postponement in court. Initially, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s government claimed that the reorganizations of local government in parts of England justified holding some elections a year later than scheduled, but Reform, which was projected to make significant gains against Labour, went to court, arguing this would deny millions of voters their democratic rights.

Starmer’s justice advisers admitted the postponement plan could be unlawful, prompting the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to say the elections will now go ahead as planned in May 2026 after all. Farage declared victory following the reversal, writing on X:  “We took this Labour government to court and won. In collusion with the Tories, Keir Starmer tried to stop 4.6 million people voting on May 7th. Only Reform UK fights for democracy.”

In late 2025, Labour’s government also postponed several new mayoral elections, pushing them back by two years. That move drew heavy criticism from Reform, which said those contests were in areas where its support was rising sharply and likely to translate into wins.

Reform’s momentum in local contests has been strong, with the populist party taking council seats from both Labour and the formerly governing Conservatives, and even a seat in Parliament following a by-election (special election). In some local areas where elections were cancelled or delayed, polling suggested Reform was significantly ahead of the establishment parties, including as much as a double-digit lead over Labour in parts of Essex, near London.

Against this backdrop, critics of Starmer’s election postponements have argued he was simply attempting to shield Labour from bad results. Reform believes it would likely have won several of the mayoral contests that have been delayed, based on electoral calculations.

Image via European Union / EP.

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50 minutes ago
Health
News

MAHA: States Begin Restricting Food Stamps for High-Sugar, Low-Nutrition Products.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Several states have introduced new restrictions on what can be purchased with Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, a.k.a. food stamps, targeting items like soda, candy, and energy drinks.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Agriculture Secretary Brooke Rollins, Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and various state officials, including Idaho Governor Brad Little (R).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Restrictions begin February 15 in Idaho and Oklahoma, and February 18 in Louisiana. Other states are rolling out changes through 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump has made it clear: We are restoring SNAP to its true purpose—nutrition.” – Brooke Rollins

🎯IMPACT: Over a million SNAP recipients across multiple states will be affected by the new restrictions.

IN FULL

Eighteen states are implementing new rules for receiving Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits, limiting purchases of items such as soda, candy, and energy drinks. Idaho and Oklahoma began enforcing restrictions starting February 15, while Louisiana is set to follow on February 18. Meanwhile, Indiana, Iowa, Nebraska, Utah, and West Virginia have already begun enforcing new rules, while the remaining states will begin enforcement between now and the end of the year.

The changes follow a series of federal waivers approved last year, which granted states greater authority to specify what SNAP funds can be used to purchase. Pushed by the Trump administration’s Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., and Department of Agriculture (USDA) Secretary Brooke Rollins, the waivers are intended to allow state governments to reduce access to high-sugar and low-nutrition products.

“President Trump has made it clear: We are restoring SNAP to its true purpose—nutrition,” Secretary Rollins said of the changes, adding, “Under the MAHA initiative, we are taking bold, historic steps to reverse the chronic diseases epidemic that has taken root in this country for far too long.” She added that the waivers “empower states to lead, protect our children from the dangers of highly processed foods, and move one step closer to the President’s promise to Make America Healthy Again.”

The waivers have also received praise from some governments. Idaho Governor Brad Little (R)—one of the states to obtain an approved waiver—stated, “Idaho proudly welcomes the MAHA movement because it is all about looking for new ways to improve nutrition, increase exercise, and take better care of ourselves and one another, especially our children. We are excited to partner with the Trump administration in bringing common sense to the government’s food assistance program with the approval of our SNAP waiver.”

While the SNAP program has been a critical source of aid for many Americans in need, it has also seen its fair share of abuse and fraud. The National Pulse reported in early February that a Minnesota woman was sentenced to one year in prison for defrauding the federal government of more than $325,000 in SNAP benefits. Meanwhile, a duo of Haitian immigrants in Massachusetts was federally charged last December with orchestrating a $7 million fraud scheme targeting SNAP.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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2 hours ago
William Upton
NatSec
World

Rubio Warns Europe: Americans Won’t Be ‘Caretakers’ of ‘Managed Decline.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered a landmark speech at the Munich Security Conference in Germany, reaffirming President Donald J. Trump’s America First foreign policy and calling for a revitalized transatlantic alliance.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio and European leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Saturday, February 14, 2026. At the Munich Security Conference in Germany.

💬KEY QUOTE: “[W]e in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline.” — Secretary of State Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: The speech was generally well-received, though it highlighted ongoing policy differences between the United States and Europe that must be addressed.

IN FULL

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio delivered the keynote address at the Munich Security Conference in Germany over the weekend, warning that “we in America have no interest in being polite and orderly caretakers of the West’s managed decline,” while stressing the unique relationship between the nations of the Western world, stating, “We want Europe to be strong. We believe that Europe must survive.” The Secretary of State reaffirmed the United States’s commitment to revitalizing the transatlantic alliance, but emphasized the need for Europe—like America—to turn the tide on mass immigration and deindustrialization.

“Deindustrialization was not inevitable. It was a conscious policy choice, a decades-long economic undertaking that stripped our nations of their wealth, of their productive capacity, and of their independence,” Rubio said, noting that “the loss of our supply chain sovereignty was not a function of a prosperous and healthy system of global trade. It was foolish.”

“Mass migration is not, was not, isn’t some fringe concern of little consequence. It was and continues to be a crisis which is transforming and destabilizing societies all across the West,” he continued, adding, “Together we can reindustrialize our economies and rebuild our capacity to defend our people. But the work of this new alliance should not be focused just on military cooperation and reclaiming the industries of the past. It should also be focused on, together, advancing our mutual interests and new frontiers, unshackling our ingenuity, our creativity, and the dynamic spirit to build a new Western century.”

He also condemned the United Nations (UN) for its failure to resolve conflicts in Gaza and Ukraine. Despite this, Rubio emphasized the enduring connection between the U.S. and Europe, stating, “Our destiny will always be intertwined with yours (in Europe).” He added, “The end of the transatlantic era is neither our goal nor our wish… we will always be a child of Europe.”

The response from European leaders has been largely positive, albeit with some trepidation. ″[Rubio] delivered a speech which still assured us that we stand together in this partnership between Europe and the United States,” German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul said in an interview following the speech. He added, “Of course, there are some questions which we will have to discuss, but in the end of the day, his message was clear that we were so successful in the past, and we should do the job once again with new threats, with new tests in the 21st century.”

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2 hours ago
Corruption
Media
UK

Group Behind UK PM Starmer’s Rise Paid U.S. Lobbyists to Smear Journalists as Russian Stooges.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Labour Together, led by British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney, is facing investigation for hiring U.S. lobbyists to do opposition research on journalists behind a critical Sunday Times article.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Labour Together, U.S. lobbying firm APCO, journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke, and leading Labour Party figures including Morgan McSweeney and Keir Starmer.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The investigation occurred in late 2023 and early 2024, following a Sunday Times report on undeclared donations by Labour Together.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The freedom of the press and the ability of journalists to work free from harassment and intimidation is a vital foundation of our free society.” – Nick Timothy, Member of Parliament (MP)

🎯IMPACT: The revelations have sparked calls for investigations into APCO and Labour Together, and raise questions about Labour Together’s role in Starmer’s leadership campaign.

IN FULL

Labour Together, which played a key role in helping Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer win the leadership of Britain’s governing Labour Party, brought in the U.S. lobbying firm APCO Worldwide to look into the personal, political, and religious backgrounds of reporters who wrote a critical article about them in The Sunday Times. That article revealed that £730,000 (~$1m) in donations made between 2017 and 2020 had not been properly declared—an issue later found by the Electoral Commission to be in violation of Britain’s campaign finance rules.

APCO’s findings, compiled under the codename “Operation Cannon,” reportedly contained unfounded and highly personal allegations about Sunday Times journalists Gabriel Pogrund and Harry Yorke. The document attempted to undermine their reporting by suggesting that the information on the unlawful donations had been obtained through Russian hacking of the Electoral Commission, and asserting without evidence that the “likeliest culprit is the Russian state, or proxies of the Russian state.”

According to reports, the document was circulated informally among Labour figures, including cabinet ministers and special advisers, and was used to fuel a whispering campaign targeting the journalists. Member of Parliament (MP) Nick Timothy called the report an “appalling” act of “harassment and intimidation” against the press. Notably, similar unfounded claims of Russian collusion have been circulated against Brexit leader Nigel Farage, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, and other anti-establishment figures across the West for many years.

Josh Simons, now serving as a Cabinet Office minister, acknowledged that he had commissioned APCO’s work. He said he asked for that material to be removed before passing the report to the National Cyber Security Centre, which ultimately decided not to pursue a full investigation.

The disclosures have led to calls for an investigation into Labour Together and ACPO’s conduct. Starmer has claimed he has no knowledge of ACPO’s activities and that he would support an investigation. Notably, Starmer’s former chief of staff Morgan McSweeney was the leader of Labour Together. His resignation was forced over his role in the elevation of Jeffrey Epstein-linked Lord Peter Mandelson as Britain’s ambassador to the U.S., which has caused huge embarrassment for Starmer’s government over recent weeks.

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February 14, 2026
Media

Newsmax CEO Hits Out at ‘Not Fully Informed’ Trump, Blasts ‘Censorship of Jimmy Kimmel.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Newsmax CEO Chris Ruddy criticized the FCC’s handling of a controversy involving Jimmy Kimmel at a Senate hearing.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chris Ruddy, President Trump, FCC Chairman Brendan Carr, and Jimmy Kimmel.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred on Capitol Hill during a ‘Media Ownership’ hearing on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I don’t believe in the censorship of Jimmy Kimmel.” – Chris Ruddy

🎯IMPACT: The comments highlighted tensions over media regulation and potential impacts on media mergers.

IN FULL

Newsmax chief Chris Ruddy used a rare appearance on Capitol Hill on Friday to lash out at President Trump’s Federal Communications Commission (FCC), telling Senators at the ‘Media Ownership’ hearing: “I don’t believe in the censorship of Jimmy Kimmel.”

The intervention came after Trump-aligned FCC chairman Brendan Carr found himself in a spat with the late-night comedy host over the false claim that conservative leader Charlie Kirk was murdered by a Trump supporter.

“Look, we can do this the easy way or the hard way,” Carr said at the time, leading to Kimmel’s firing. “These companies can find ways to change conduct, to take action, frankly, on Kimmel, or, you know, there’s going to be additional work for the FCC ahead.”

Kimmel was reinstated after industry-wide condemnation of his suspension, which apparently triggered the Newsmax CEO, too.

Ruddy, who was appearing as part of a debate on the existing broadcast cap and its impact on media mergers, lashed out further at President Trump and Chairman Carr, claiming Trump was not “fully informed” on the subject.

“I think the president makes a lot of good decisions, and he does when he’s fully informed. I think Chairman Carr has not informed him and advised him well on this issue,” Ruddy said towards the end of the two-hour hearing reviewed in full by The National Pulse.

Most of the conversation revolved around the Nexstar-Tegna merger and local news production and investment across the United States, with Ruddy claiming that his Newsmax would suffer due to larger broadcasters acquiring local news channels nationwide, even though Newsmax does not compete in local media markets.

The meeting was convened by Senator Ted Cruz, a major beneficiary of Chris Ruddy’s political donations.

Recently asked about his spat with Kimmel, Chairman Carr joked: “Well, you can’t see it because I have a collar and a tie on, but underneath I have a ‘No Regrets’ tattoo right across the bottom of my neck… And that’s sort of the motto that I tend to live by.”

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February 13, 2026
Education
News
Sports

Trump Admin Investigates School Where Trans Athlete Allegedly Sexually Assaulted Teen Wrestler.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Education announced an investigation into a report of alleged sexual assault by a trans-identified male wrestler against a female opponent during a match in Washington state.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Sixteen-year-old female wrestler Kallie Keeler, a trans-identified male wrestler, the Department of Education, and Washington’s Puyallup School District.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred during a December 6 wrestling match in Washington state. The investigation was announced on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The alleged violations are ongoing and well known to school leaders, with at least a dozen female athletes having complained to administrators about the presence of two males in the girls’ locker room.” – Department of Education.

🎯IMPACT: The investigation could lead to consequences for the school district if Title IX violations are confirmed, potentially affecting policies on sports participation and locker room access.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Education’s Office for Civil Rights has opened an investigation into the Puyallup School District following allegations that a female high school wrestler was sexually assaulted by a trans-identified male competitor during a match in Washington state. Federal officials said the district may have violated Title IX by allowing males to compete in female sports, permitting males access to girls’ locker rooms, and failing to properly respond to reports of sexual assault. According to the department, “the alleged violations are ongoing and well known to school leaders, with at least a dozen female athletes having complained to administrators about the presence of two males in the girls’ locker room.”

The incident under review took place on December 6 during a wrestling match involving 16-year-old Kallie Keeler. Keeler alleges that during the bout, her opponent put his fingers in her vagina. Video recorded by her mother and later obtained by journalist Brandi Kruse reportedly shows Keeler visibly distressed. She ended the match by allowing her opponent to pin her and later said she was “really shocked” to learn afterward that her opponent was transgender.

Keeler’s parents contacted her coaches two days later seeking answers. One coach replied, “I most certainly would not put Kallie on the mat if I thought she was competing with a male,” and indicated the matter would be investigated. However, the family says they received no further follow-up. The district acknowledged an investigation only after Kruse inquired about the case weeks later.

The Pierce County Sheriff’s Office has reviewed footage of the match and confirmed its School Resource Officer is following up with Keeler. The investigation remains active.

The case comes amid ongoing national disputes over transgender participation in girls’ sports. The U.S. Department of Justice has challenged some state policies allowing biological males to compete in female divisions, and President Donald J. Trump has issued directives aimed at restricting such participation.

Image via FCDO.

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February 13, 2026
Education
News

DOJ Sues Harvard for Withholding Racial Admissions Data.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) filed a lawsuit against Harvard University for allegedly hiding data about racial admissions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The DOJ, led by Attorney General Pam Bondi, and Harvard University.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The lawsuit was filed on February 13, 2026, in federal district court in Massachusetts.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Providing requested data is a basic expectation of any credible compliance process, and refusal to cooperate creates concerns about university practices.” – Harmeet K. Dhillon

🎯IMPACT: The lawsuit seeks to compel Harvard to release admissions data to federal investigators, to ensure no discrimination against Asians, white people, and others, or unlawful prioritization of other groups.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of Justice filed a lawsuit against Harvard University on Friday, accusing the Ivy League institution of unlawfully withholding admissions records needed to verify compliance with a Supreme Court ruling banning race-based affirmative action in college admissions. The complaint, lodged in federal court in Massachusetts, stems from a Civil Rights Division investigation launched in April 2025 into Harvard’s undergraduate, law, and medical school admissions processes.

The DOJ alleges that for over 10 months, despite repeated requests, warning letters, and extensions, Harvard has slow-walked responses and refused to provide key materials, including individualized applicant data such as test scores, GPAs, ratings, and demographics; current admissions policies; and documents related to race, ethnicity, diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts, as well as those tied to the Supreme Court case Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College.

Attorney General Pam Bondi stated: “Under President Trump’s leadership, this Department of Justice is demanding better from our nation’s educational institutions. Harvard has failed to disclose the data we need to ensure that its admissions are free of discrimination — we will continue fighting to put merit over DEI across America.”

Assistant Attorney General Harmeet K. Dhillon added: “Providing requested data is a basic expectation of any credible compliance process, and refusal to cooperate creates concerns about university practices. If Harvard has stopped discriminating, it should happily share the data necessary to prove it.”

The lawsuit does not accuse Harvard of current illegal discrimination or seek monetary damages or funding revocation. Instead, it aims to compel production of the records under Title VI of the Civil Rights Act, citing Harvard’s receipt of federal funding, including DOJ grants, as creating obligations for cooperation. Harvard has produced over 2,300 pages of documents but is accused of withholding sufficient detail for a full review.

This action fits into broader Trump administration tensions with Harvard. In late 2025, the DOJ appealed a court ruling that restored more than $2 billion in federal funding to the university after it was temporarily cut over disputes involving campus responses to protests and policy demands.

The case has also drawn attention from internal critics. In a December 2025 essay, departing Harvard historian James Hankins described how DEI priorities appeared to disadvantage highly qualified white male applicants post-2020, including one instance where an admissions committee member reportedly said admitting a white male was “not happening this year.”

Image by Adam Fagen.

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February 13, 2026
Crime
News

WATCH: Extremist Sets Fire to Building Considered for Conversion to ICE Detention Center.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A woman attempted to set fire to a Kansas City warehouse rumored to be a potential ICE detention center.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The unidentified woman, Platform Ventures, local officials, and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred at the 49 Crossing industrial facility in Kansas City, Missouri.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Platform Ventures is not actively engaged with the U.S. Government or any other prospective purchaser involving a sale of its property at the I-49 Industrial Center.” – Platform Ventures statement.

🎯IMPACT: The property will not be sold to DHS, and local leaders continue opposing the use of warehouses as detention centers.

IN FULL

A woman was captured on surveillance video attempting to set fire to a warehouse in Kansas City, Missouri, that had been rumored as a possible immigration detention facility. Footage shared by local outlet KMBC shows the woman, dressed in sandals, jeans, a short-sleeve black shirt, and carrying a small backpack, pouring an accelerant along the side of the building before striking a match. A second container of accelerant is visible near her feet.

The warehouse is located within the 49 Crossing industrial complex and had previously been considered for sale for potential use by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as an immigration detention center. However, the property owner, Platform Ventures, announced Thursday that it would not proceed with the sale.

Rumors first surfaced in January that the site could be converted into a federal immigration detention facility. The prospect drew opposition from local activists and leftist officials. Kansas City Mayor Quinton Lucas (D) said at the time, “I will continue with our legislative, legal efforts and community engagement to ensure no warehouse or similar facility in Kansas City or nearby is converted to a mass encampment warehouse of persons that is offensive to the dignity and human rights of those who would be detained within it.”

In a February 12 statement, Platform Ventures said, “Platform Ventures is not actively engaged with the U.S. Government or any other prospective purchaser involving a sale of its property at the I-49 Industrial Center.” The company explained that negotiations had initially been conducted with a private third party but later discovered the buyer was the U.S. Government. It ultimately declined to move forward.

The arson attack comes amid heightened tensions nationwide over immigration enforcement and the expansion of detention facilities. In recent months, leftist activists have clashed with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents at various sites across the country, including protests that escalated into confrontations outside detention facilities. Federal officials have also confirmed investigations into organized anti-ICE activist networks.

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February 13, 2026
Immigration
News

ICE Surge in Minnesota Recovered 3,000 Missing Children.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) highlighted the success of Operation Metro Surge in Minneapolis, which led to the arrest of 4,000 illegal immigrant criminals and the recovery of 3,000 missing migrant children.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tom Emmer, President Donald J. Trump, federal law enforcement agencies, Minnesota officials, and residents of Minneapolis.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The operation took place in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and its results were discussed on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Do you realize that Operation Metro Surge picked up 4,000 illegal alien criminals? Rapists, murderers, pedophiles, drug dealers — 4,000! And by the way, I was told… they’ve also located 3,000 missing migrant children.” – Tom Emmer

🎯IMPACT: The operation secured significant results in addressing illegal immigration and missing children cases.

IN FULL

House Majority Whip Tom Emmer (R-MN) praised the outcome of Operation Metro Surge, a federal law enforcement initiative in Minneapolis aimed at combating illegal immigration and violent crime. Emmer said the operation led to thousands of arrests and the recovery of missing migrant children. “Do you realize that Operation Metro Surge picked up 4,000 illegal alien criminals? Rapists, murderers, pedophiles, drug dealers — 4,000! And by the way, I was told that… they’ve also located 3,000 missing migrant children. I mean, that’s just in the Minneapolis area. You gotta be kidding me,” Emmer stated.

The Minnesota initiative was ordered by President Donald J. Trump and involved a surge of federal personnel, including officers from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection (ICE). The administration said the operation was designed to address public safety concerns in jurisdictions with sanctuary-style policies. Officials announced the effort had concluded, describing it as a success.

The operation drew protests and clashes between leftist agitators and law enforcement. Two anti-ICE activists were fatally shot while disrupting immigration enforcement, prompting calls from Democrats for them to leave the state. Emmer blamed state and city Democratic leaders for failing to coordinate with federal authorities. “Had there been cooperation, none of this would have happened,” he remarked.

The comments come amid broader debate over unaccompanied migrant children who have entered the United States in recent years. Reports indicate that during the prior Biden regime, hundreds of thousands of minors were released to sponsors but not consistently tracked, with estimates suggesting nearly 300,000 children may have lacked proper follow-up.

More recent reports have said the Trump administration has located roughly 25,000 previously unaccounted-for migrant children nationwide as part of expanded enforcement and tracking efforts.

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February 13, 2026
Crime

Don Lemon Pleads Not Guilty in Church-Storming Case.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ex-CNN host Don Lemon pleaded not guilty in a Minnesota federal court over allegations of participating in an anti-ICE mob that stormed a church service.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Don Lemon, Nekima Levy Armstrong, three additional defendants, and congregants of Cities Church.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The alleged incident occurred last month at Cities Church in St. Paul, Minnesota. Lemon appeared in court on Friday, February 13, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The First Amendment does not protect premeditated schemes to violate the sanctity of a sanctuary, disrupt worship services, or intimidate children.” — Renee Carlson, General Counsel for True North Legal, representing Cities Church

🎯IMPACT: Lemon faces federal charges under the FACE Act and conspiracy to violate religious freedoms.

IN FULL

Ex-CNN anchor Don Lemon entered a not guilty plea in a Minnesota federal court on Friday following his arrest for alleged involvement with an anti-ICE mob that stormed Cities Church in St. Paul last month. Lemon livestreamed the church storming, showing himself accompanying a group of agitators who interrupted a Sunday service, menacing and harassing congregants.

In his livestream, Lemon referred to the operation as “secret” and stated, “[I] can’t tell you what is going to happen, but you’re going to watch it live unfold here on the Don Lemon Show.” At one point, Lemon turned off his camera, claiming the group was sharing “critical information.” He also thanked the church storming’s organizer, radical black activist Nekima Levy Armstrong, who is facing similar charges, during the broadcast.

Federal authorities arrested Lemon in Los Angeles late last month, charging him with conspiracy to violate religious freedoms and violations of the FACE Act, which prohibits the disruption of religious services. Lemon has maintained that his actions were protected under the First Amendment, asserting he was there as an independent journalist. “We’re here just chronicling and reporting. We’re not part of the activist, but we’re here just reporting on them,” he said in his livestream.

Renee Carlson, General Counsel for True North Legal, representing Cities Church, pushed back on Lemon’s defense. “By pleading not guilty, Don Lemon and other defendants are doubling down on their claim that the press can do whatever they want under the auspices of journalism, while also defending the invasion of a church. This was a coordinated, planned operation,” Carlson stated, adding, “The First Amendment does not protect premeditated schemes to violate the sanctity of a sanctuary, disrupt worship services, or intimidate children.”

During the hearing, Lemon’s legal team requested the return of his phone, which remains in the custody of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) under a sealed search warrant. Lemon, in his livestream, acknowledged the discomfort caused to worshippers, saying, “You have to make people uncomfortable in these times. If you see how uncomfortable … and how harsh people are being treated on the streets, you have to be willing to go into places and disrupt and make people uncomfortable. That is what this country is about.”

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