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Saturday, January 24, 2026
2 hours ago
News

REPORT: Nigel Farage Intervention Critical to Trump’s Chagos Island Change of Heart.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Nigel Farage discussed the Diego Garcia military base and Britain’s relinquishment of the Chagos Islands, resulting in a change of heart by President Donald Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Scott Bessent, Nigel Farage, Donald Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: During a dinner at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

💬KEY QUOTE: “US Treasury Sec believed to have credited Farage for getting this issue in the President’s in-tray.” – James Heale

🎯IMPACT: The discussion is believed to have influenced the Trump administration’s stance.

IN FULL

During a dinner in Davos, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and Reform UK leader Nigel Farage reportedly discussed the Diego Garcia military base and the UK government’s Chagos Islands deal, wherein the nation was due to hand sovereignty to Mauritius, in a deeply contentious move roundly panned by geopolitical experts.

This discussion reportedly had significant implications, with President Donald J. Trump rounding on the British government, aligning himself with Nigel Farage and those who have campaigned against the deal, including The National Pulse.

The US Treasury Secretary is believed to have acknowledged Farage’s role in bringing the issue to the President’s attention, per journalist James Heale from The Spectator.

The impact of this discussion cannot be understated, as it is suggested to have influenced the Trump administration’s stance on the matter, rapidly altering the landscape for Keir Starmer’s government and keeping China at bay in one of the most critical areas in the region.

For more on the Chagos Islands, Diego Garcia, and the geopolitical implications, read our report from April 2025 here.

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20 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Criminal Illegal Who Became School Superintendent Pleads Guilty to Federal Crimes.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ian Andre Roberts, an illegal immigrant and former Des Moines Public Schools superintendent, pleaded guilty to federal charges of making false statements to gain employment and illegally possessing a firearm.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ian Andre Roberts, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and federal prosecutors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Roberts was arrested in September 2025 in Des Moines, Iowa; pleaded guilty on January 22, 2026; and will be sentenced on May 26, 2026.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Roberts falsely stated that he was a United States citizen on employment paperwork related to his position at the Des Moines Public Schools in June 2023.” – Department of Justice

🎯IMPACT: Roberts faces up to 20 years in federal prison, highlighting failures in vetting processes for key public roles.

IN FULL

Dr. Ian Andre Roberts, an illegal immigrant from Guyana with a history of weapons-related charges who served as the Des Moines, Iowa, Public Schools superintendent, pleaded guilty on Thursday to federal charges of making false statements to gain employment in the United States and illegally possessing a firearm. The Guyana national was arrested by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents last September following an immigration judge issuing a final deportation order in May 2024.

The National Pulse previously reported that during the September arrest, Roberts reportedly fled in his vehicle when ICE agents revealed their identity, leading to a chase that ended with him abandoning his car and hiding in nearby shrubbery. He was eventually located and taken into custody with the assistance of an Iowa State Police K9 unit. At the time, ICE agents found $3,000 in cash, a hunting knife, and a loaded handgun in his city government-issued vehicle.

Shockingly, Roberts—at the time of both his deportation order and subsequent arrest—was serving as superintendent of the Des Moines Public Schools system, a position he had held since July 2023. The school board had previously praised him for his focus on “instructional excellence, diversity, equity, inclusion, and innovation in education.” He was also a registered Democrat voter, despite non-citizens being banned—on paper—from voting.

Federal prosecutors charged Roberts with making false statements to gain employment and being an illegal alien in possession of a firearm. According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), Roberts falsely claimed U.S. citizenship on employment paperwork in June 2023. Additionally, on the day of his arrest, Roberts knowingly possessed a loaded Glock pistol in his vehicle and three additional firearms at his residence.

Roberts’ criminal history includes charges for narcotics possession, forgery, reckless driving, and multiple firearm-related offenses spanning decades. He is scheduled to be sentenced on May 26, 2026, and faces up to 20 years in federal prison.

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20 hours ago
Crime
News

Man Charged Over Threats to Kill ICE Agents and ‘Maga Maggots’ Had Weapons Cache, Palestinian Flag.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A 21-year-old Ohio man was arrested after allegedly threatening to shoot U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and others on social media.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Justin Mesael Novoa, Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents, and the Department of Justice (DOJ).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Arrest made in Ohio, on January 22, 2026; home raided in December 2025; threats posted earlier in November and June 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Alright, you got me. That was me,” Novoa reportedly admitted during the search of his home.

🎯IMPACT: Novoa faces over 10 years in prison if convicted; the case is set for a preliminary hearing on February 5.

IN FULL

Federal authorities arrested Justin Mesael Novoa, 21, of Ohio, on charges of threatening to assault or murder a federal law enforcement officer and for threatening interstate communications. The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) announced the arrest on Thursday, following an investigation into social media posts where Novoa allegedly threatened to shoot U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents and people he referred to as “retarded maga maggots.”

According to the DOJ, the threats were posted on X (formerly Twitter) in June and November 2025. One post on November 9 stated, “can’t wait to shoot these p*ssy ice agents and retarded maga maggots.” Another post from June read, “they should blast every ice agent they find” and encouraged shooting agents in “masked, unmarked vehicles, no badge or id.”

Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents served a summons to X on December 16 to obtain information about the anonymous account. The data provided by X linked the account to Novoa’s email and phone number. On December 20, agents executed a search of his home, where Novoa reportedly admitted to making the posts, saying, “Alright, you got me. That was me.”

During the search, authorities found two rifles, two shotguns, a handgun, ammunition, helmets, a plate carrier, and a Palestinian flag. The criminal complaint also detailed a history of anti-white and anti-Jewish posts from the account, including statements such as “hitler should have finished the job” and “id join hamas too. these filthy f***king subhuman rats deserve to be gassed and executed.”

Novoa is currently being held in jail by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office. If convicted, Novoa could face more than 10 years in prison. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for February 5.

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21 hours ago
Election Integrity
News

Luna Vows to Shut Down House If Senate GOP Keeps Stalling Election Integrity Bill.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Anna Paulina Luna is pushing for the passage of the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, threatening to shut down the House floor if the Senate does not take action.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Anna Paulina Luna, Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, and other House and Senate members.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The House passed the SAVE Act in April 2025; Luna issued her statement on January 23, 2026, via X (formerly Twitter).

💬KEY QUOTE: “If the Senate does not pass the SAVE Act and/or schedule a date for a vote by the time we return, I have enough votes from other members to shut down the floor of the House.” – Rep. Anna Paulina Luna

🎯IMPACT: The SAVE Act faces significant opposition from Democrats and uncertainty among Senate Republicans, making its passage uncertain.

IN FULL

Representative Anna Paulina Luna (R-FL) is ramping up pressure on the Senate GOP to act on the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act, warning she is prepared to disrupt House business if the Senate continues to stall the bill. The legislation, which would require proof of citizenship to vote in federal elections, passed the House in April 2025, but it has yet to advance in the Senate.

Luna, a close ally of President Donald J. Trump, said she is prepared to shut down activity on the House floor if the Senate does not pass the bill or at least schedule a vote by the time lawmakers return in February. “If the Senate does not pass the SAVE Act and/or schedule a date for a vote by the time we return, I have enough votes from other members to shut down the floor of the House,” Luna wrote on X. She added, “We are not going to play games—especially given that half of the Republicans in both the House and Senate are concerned about their reelection and want the floor open for their messaging bills.”

The SAVE Act, which President Donald J. Trump has publicly endorsed, is intended to bolster election integrity by requiring proof of U.S. citizenship and directing states to remove noncitizens from voter rolls. Republicans have largely supported the bill, while Democrats have criticized it as a “voter suppression” measure. Four House Democrats voted in favor of the legislation when it cleared the chamber.

The bill faces long odds in the Senate, where it would need 60 votes to overcome a filibuster. At present, it has 35 Republican cosponsors, including three members of Senate Republican leadership. However, several influential Senate Republicans, including Senate Majority Leader John Thune, have not signed on.

Luna, who represents Florida’s 13th District, has drawn national attention beyond election policy. As head of the House Oversight Committee’s Task Force on the Declassification of Federal Secrets, she has publicly suggested possible intelligence connections involving deceased pedophile Jeffrey Epstein, stating that “In my opinion, there is definitely an intelligence connection.”

She has also intervened in international politics, including publicly supporting German anti-mass migration activist Naomi Seibt’s bid for asylum in the United States, citing Antifa threats and government censorship in Germany.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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21 hours ago
Health
News

Trump Admin Officially Cuts the World Health Org Loose.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The United States has officially withdrawn from the World Health Organization (WHO), citing concerns over the organization’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and other global health crises.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Trump administration, WHO officials, and international health organizations.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The withdrawal was formalized following an executive order issued by President Donald J. Trump in the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The United States has exited the World Health Organization. This fulfills President Trump’s commitment under an executive order signed one year ago, following the WHO’s mishandling of COVID-19 and its ongoing lack of reform, accountability, & transparency.” – White House statement.

🎯IMPACT: The withdrawal will mean the U.S. is no longer bound to WHO edicts, including the recently signed pandemic treaty.

IN FULL

The United States has officially completed its withdrawal from the World Health Organization (WHO). The move follows an executive order signed by President Donald J. Trump, who accused the United Nations (UN) agency of mishandling the COVID-19 pandemic, subservience to China, and failing to carry out meaningful reforms.

Administration officials have said the U.S. intends to pursue direct public health partnerships with other countries rather than work through the WHO. The WHO has also claimed that America owes it around $133 million for dues from 2024 and 2025; however, the Trump administration has stated that it has no obligation to pay the dues since withdrawing.

“The United States has exited the World Health Organization. This fulfills President Trump’s commitment under an executive order signed one year ago, following the WHO’s mishandling of COVID-19 and its ongoing lack of reform, accountability, & transparency,” the White House announced on January 23.

The U.S. withdrawal coincides with broader controversy surrounding the WHO. The organization recently ratified a legally binding global pandemic treaty aimed at improving preparedness and cooperation during future outbreaks, a move that critics argue could expand international authority over national health policies. U.S. officials and lawmakers have also objected to proposed amendments to international health regulations and to certain WHO advisory panels, including one focused on transgenderism, citing concerns over sovereignty and scientific standards.

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22 hours ago
Immigration
News

Tim Walz Is Begging the Public for Money to Fight DOJ Subpoena.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is begging the public for money for a legal defense fund after he and other state officials were subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) for allegedly conspiring to impede law enforcement.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D), Attorney General Keith Ellison (D), St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her (D), and U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Subpoenas were issued recently in Minnesota following a viral fraud investigation.

💬KEY QUOTE: “If you’re with me, please rush a donation to our legal defense fund and help ensure we can keep fighting for accountability, transparency, and justice.” – Tim Walz

🎯IMPACT: The subpoenas have escalated tensions between federal authorities and Minnesota officials amidst ongoing investigations into fraud in the Somali community, and Democrat complicity in facilitating or turning a blind eye to it.

IN FULL

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) is begging for money for a legal defense fund after being subpoenaed by the Department of Justice (DOJ) as part of a federal investigation into alleged efforts to obstruct law enforcement. The subpoenas, reportedly served by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), also target Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey (D), Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (D), and St. Paul Mayor Kaohly Her (D), and seek records of official communications.

In a message sent to supporters, Walz claimed the investigation was politically motivated and tied to recent unrest in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of anti-ICE activist Renee Good by a federal officer when she hit him with her car. “Tim Walz here. Last week, the federal government opened an investigation into me. This comes just weeks after a federal ICE agent fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis, unleashing chaos across our city. Rather than taking accountability and working to turn down the temperature, Donald Trump and his administration are fanning the flames by targeting me for demanding transparency and answers.”

Walz went on to accuse the Trump administration of abusing federal power and urged the public to help finance his legal fight. “Weaponizing the justice system and threatening political opponents is a dangerous, authoritarian tactic – and I won’t let it slide. My job is to defend Minnesotans and the rule of law, and I’m sure as hell not backing down. But the road ahead is long, difficult, and expensive. If you’re with me, please rush a donation to our legal defense fund and help ensure we can keep fighting for accountability, transparency, and justice.”

Justice Department officials have suggested that comments and actions by Minnesota leaders may have crossed legal lines. U.S. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said, “When the Governor or the Mayor threaten our officers, when the Mayor suggests that he’s encouraging citizens to call 911 when they see ICE officers, that is very close to a federal crime.”

The investigation also comes after testimony before Congress by independent journalist Nick Shirley, whose reporting on alleged Somali daycare fraud in Minnesota gained widespread attention.

The subpoena controversy adds to mounting scrutiny of Walz over a separate scandal involving alleged fraud in federal COVID-19 relief programs. Whistleblowers have claimed Walz’s administration was aware as early as 2019 of irregularities tied to nonprofits linked to Minnesota’s Somali community but failed to fully investigate and threatened retaliation against state employees who pressed the issue.

Earlier this month, Walz announced he would abandon his bid to seek reelection, a decision widely attributed to the ongoing fallout from the fraud allegations and growing political pressure.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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23 hours ago
Crime
Immigration

Dem Congressman Admits ICE ‘Serves the Public Interest,’ Begs Leftists to Stop Obstruction.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) issued a statement urging his constituents not to interfere with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in the state, acknowledging that their presence “serves the public interest.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Representative Jared Golden, ICE agents, Maine Governor Janet Mills (D), and Senator Susan Collins (R-ME).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Maine, during the ongoing ICE operation “Catch of the Day,” announced this week by DHS.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Free speech and lawful protest are protected rights, but regardless of how anyone feels about immigration policy or ICE’s tactics, people must not obstruct or impede law enforcement activities.” – Jared Golden

🎯IMPACT: Golden’s stance has drawn criticism from progressive Democrats but praise from constituents in his conservative-leaning district.

IN FULL

Representative Jared Golden (D-ME) is one of the few Democrats around the country urging his constituents not to interfere with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations currently underway in his state. Golden stated that these operations, part of “Operation Catch of the Day” announced by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), “serve the public interest.”

Golden took an unusually firm stance in his statement, emphasizing, “A targeted law enforcement operation focused on individuals who have engaged in criminal activity serves the public interest.” He also reminded constituents that while peaceful protests are a protected right, obstructing law enforcement activities is unacceptable. “Regardless of how anyone feels about immigration policy or ICE’s tactics, people must not obstruct or impede law enforcement activities,” he wrote.

The operation, which has seen increased federal scrutiny of Maine‘s Somali immigrant community, has seen public pushback from other Democrat lawmakers. Governor Janet Mills expressed outrage over ICE’s tactics. Mills stated, “If the Federal government has warrants, then it should show them. But if they are separating working mothers from young children, solely because they sought freedom here and have committed no crime, then the Federal government is only sowing intimidation and fear.”

Meanwhile, Senator Susan Collins (R) also weighed in, stating, “People who are in this country legally should not be targets of ICE investigations. They should be able to continue to go to work, school, and other public places and carry on with their normal lives.”

The National Pulse reported earlier on Friday that Arizona Attorney General Kris Mayes (D) had falsely suggested it could be legal for people to use deadly force against masked ICE agents, under Arizona’s “Stand Your Ground” law, if they feel their life is in danger.

Maine is not the only state where government officials are pleading with far-left demonstrators to stop interfering with law enforcement. Late Thursday, Vancouver, Washington Police Chief Troy Price posted a video to X (formerly Twitter), asking the public to stop following, approaching, and harassing his department’s specialty units, including the city’s S.W.A.T. team and Crime Reduction Unit. According to Chief Price, both police units have been mistaken by demonstrators for ICE agents.

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23 hours ago
William Upton
Economy
World

Argentina’s Milei Stabs Trump in the Back on Chinese EVs.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a supposed ally of the Trump administration, appears to have done an about-face, cozying up to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and opening his country to a huge number of electric vehicles imported from China.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Javier Milei, Chinese electric vehicle companies like BYD, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, U.S. automakers, and the Chinese Communist Party (CCP).

📍WHEN & WHERE: A shipment of 5,800 BYD-made electric and hybrid vehicles arrived in Argentina earlier this week.

🎯IMPACT: The opening of Argentina to a flood of Chinese goods is a stunning rebuke to the U.S. after President Donald J. Trump signed a $20 billion currency swap deal that stabilized the South American nation’s currency last October, ahead of critical elections for Milei’s government.

IN FULL

Argentina’s President Javier Milei, a supposed ally of the Trump administration, appears to have done an about-face, cozying up to the Chinese Communist Party (CCP) and opening his country to a large number of electric vehicles imported from China. Under Milei, Argentina has reversed a number of import restrictions, especially on cheap Chinese-made automobiles, with a Chinese cargo ship delivering a stunning 5,800 BYD-made electric and hybrid vehicles earlier this week.

The opening of Argentina to a flood of Chinese goods is a stunning rebuke of the U.S., where President Donald J. Trump signed a $20 billion currency swap deal that stabilized the South American nation’s currency last October, ahead of critical elections for Milei’s government. Notably, the Argentine currency crisis was primarily the result of a panic sparked by corruption allegations within Mielei’s own La Libertad Avanza party, which prompted investors to flee the peso.

In response to the crisis, the U.S. Treasury Department took emergency measures to help stabilize  Argentina’s economy and currency, as the country under Milei has been considered a staunch regional ally. Despite criticism from Democrats and some conservatives who viewed the aid as a bailout for a foreign nation, Trump‘s Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent stated at the time, “Argentina now has the opportunity to embrace economic freedom, and our stabilization agreement is a bridge to a better economic future for Argentina, not a bailout.”

Earlier this year, the Treasury Department announced that Argentina had repaid the funds it drew from the $20 billion currency swap. Still, President Milei effectively created a carve-out for Chinese electric vehicles, which are so cheap that they fall below Argentina’s $16,000 tariff threshold, unlike U.S. autos.

While Argentina’s under-maintained electric grid—for the moment—prevents total Chinese domination of its electric vehicle market, if improvements are made—possibly with Chinese financing—China is poised to run the table.

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24 hours ago
Immigration
News

U-Haul Distributes ‘Shields and Gear’ to Organized Anti-ICE Agitators.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Agitators attempting to block immigration enforcement operations at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, had shields and other gear distributed to them via U-Haul, suggesting a high level of organization.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE officials, protesters, and the Antifa-affiliated group Unicorn Riot.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Friday, at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I will tell you right now, they are going to fail.” – Marcos Charles, Acting Executive Associate Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO), said of the agitators’ efforts to disrupt immigration enforcement.

🎯IMPACT: The blockade’s sophistication suggests anti-ICE activities are not spontaneous, and may be tied to nonprofits or other organizing forces.

IN FULL

A senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) official said Friday that protesters attempting to disrupt federal immigration enforcement operations at the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis, Minnesota, had shields and other gear distributed to them by a U-Haul truck. Speaking at a press conference, Marcos Charles, Acting Executive Associate Director of ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations, said a group arrived at the building equipped to block access and prevent agents from leaving to carry out their duties.

“Moments ago, a group of agitators, a U-Haul van filled with shields… and gear decided to come over here to the Whipple building and block traffic. They are currently trying to impede us from getting out of the building and going to do our mission,” Charles said.

Charles stated that ICE would continue operations despite the obstruction. “I will tell you right now, they are going to fail because no matter what they put up in front of us, we are here to do a job to protect this community, to protect Minnesotans, and to keep the criminal illegal aliens off the street and put them where they belong: back into detention and remove them from this country,” he added.

The Antifa-affiliated media group Unicorn Riot acknowledged the protest activity on social media, describing coordinated demonstrations across the Twin Cities amid extreme cold. “Today is #ICEout day in MN with high temps reaching -11°F & masses are protesting at MSP Airport while hundreds are outside the Whipple Federal Building. On one side, a blockade prevents ICE vehicles from driving thru while ice balls are thrown at vehicles on the other side,” the group posted.

Earlier this month, President Donald J. Trump blamed radical left-wing extremists for a rise in attacks and threats against law enforcement following the shooting of an anti-ICE activist who hit a federal officer with her car.

Department of Homeland Security officials have reported more than 10,000 arrests of illegal aliens in the Minneapolis area, drawing criticism from Minnesota’s Democrat leadership, including Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The Department of Justice has recently arrested several activists accused of orchestrating aggressive anti-ICE actions in Minneapolis, including the disruption of church services and federal operations.

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January 23, 2026
News
UK

Trump Effect: UK PM Starmer Suspends Surrender of Strategic Islands.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has withdrawn the Chagos Island Bill finalizing Britain’s surrender of the Chagos Islands, which host a strategic U.S. base, after President Donald J. Trump branded the deal an “act of great stupidity.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, and Mauritius, which was set to take control of the islands.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The bill was expected to be debated in the House of Lords on Monday, but was delayed on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “An act of great stupidity.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The decision has delayed the ratification of the treaty and sparked debate over UK sovereignty and international law.

IN FULL

Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has finally been compelled to retract his Chagos Island Bill, finalizing the surrender of the British Indian Ocean Territory, or Chagos Islands, to Mauritius, following opposition from the Trump administration. Notably, the Chagos Islands include Diego Garcia, home to a strategic British-American military base.

The bill, which was slated for debate in the House of Lords on Monday, is in limbo, ostensibly because it has emerged that Starmer’s deal with Mauritius might breach a 1966 treaty between Britain and America that the Chagos Islands “shall remain under United Kingdom sovereignty.” However, it seems likely that the real reason for the deal’s suspension is President Donald J. Trump publicly branding it “an act of great stupidity,” as Mauritius is an ally of China. Starmer had previously claimed Trump’s comments were revenge for his stance on Greenland, and that the deal would go forward regardless of his intervention.

Starmer had agreed to pay Mauritius billions of pounds in order to continue leasing Diego Garcia—which Britain currently controls as its sovereign territory for free—for 99 years, and the Trump administration had until recently publicly assented to the deal, despite private reservations. British opposition figures such as Trump ally Nigel Farage had long been lobbying Trump to oppose the deal, on the basis that Mauritius could undermine Chagos even with the lease by leasing another island nearby to China, or otherwise interfering with its operation.

President Trump’s patience with Starmer on courtesy appears to have snapped after he publicly opposed U.S. efforts to acquire Denmark, despite having no national interest in the territory. Ludicrously, Starmer had argued that no decision about Greenland could be made without the Greenlanders’ consent, while explicitly refusing to grant the Chagossians a say over their islands’ transfer to Mauritius, which they almost universally oppose.

Starmer’s Labour Party government had argued that transferring Chagos to Mauritius is unavoidable, due to an International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruling in Mauritius’ favor. However, the ICJ ruling was advisory and non-binding, with Britain under no legal obligation to not just surrender the islands but also pay Mauritius for the privilege of doing so. Notably, Starmer’s negotiator, Attorney General Richard Hermer, despises the British Empire and supports reparations, and worked with Philippe Sands, a British lawyer assisting Mauritius in its claims, for ten years.

Sands is also a personal friend of Starmer, who is a left-wing human rights lawyer by background, with many suspecting the trio’s motivation in putting together a Chagos deal so lopsided against Britain’s national interests stemmed from their personal, “anti-imperialist” politics.

Mauritius is over 1,000 miles from Chagos, and it has no Mauritian population.

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