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Tuesday, July 1, 2025
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13 minutes ago
Politics

Obama White House Aide Who Wished Death on Trump Joins Zohran Mamdani’s Team.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A former Obama administration staffer who wished death on President Donald J. Trump is now consulting for Zohran Kwame Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in New York City.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Zara Rahim, Zohran Mamdani, and President Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: New York City, during Mamdani’s mayoral campaign in 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s been against my moral identity to tweet this for the past four years, but, I hope he dies.” – Zara Rahim, October 2020.

🎯IMPACT: Rahim’s hiring raises questions about Mamdani’s political extremism.

IN FULL

A former Obama White House staffer, Zara Rahim, who once publicly wished death on President Donald J. Trump, has taken on a new role as a communications consultant for Zohran Kwame Mamdani, the Democratic Socialist mayoral candidate in New York City. Mamdani, a Uganda-born Muslim extremist who has advocated for “seizing the means of production,” recently secured the Democratic nomination for mayor, making him the frontrunner for the November general election. Campaign finance records show Rahim was paid $3,500 for her consulting work in May.

Rahim gained attention in October 2020 when she posted on X (formerly Twitter), “It’s been against my moral identity to tweet this for the past four years, but, I hope he dies,” referring to President Trump’s COVID-19 diagnosis at the time. Though she later deleted the post, her controversial statements have resurfaced as she works closely with Mamdani, including crafting campaign materials and assisting during his media appearances.

Rahim, a Bangladeshi immigrant, previously worked for Barack Obama’s Office of Digital Strategy and Hillary Clinton’s 2016 campaign. Her other clients have included corporations like Netflix, Nike, and Uber. She has also been vocal on social media, criticizing America and expressing support for the “Defund the Police” movement, a position shared by Mamdani.

Other controversial figures in Mamdani’s campaign include Julian Gerson, his political director, who praised the alleged murderer of a healthcare executive, and Matthew Thomas, a former staffer with a criminal record for soliciting a minor.

Image by Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images.

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32 minutes ago
News
Politics

The Democrats Are the Least Popular Lawmakers in Congress.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Polling has found the Democratic leadership is unpopular among the majority of the American public ahead of the 2026 midterm elections

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Democratic leadership in the House and Senate, American voters.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The polling was released on July 1.

🎯IMPACT: The poll shows lackluster support for the largely leaderless Democrats who are struggling to form a unified front ahead of next year’s pivotal elections.

IN FULL

Newly released polling indicates that the majority of the American public does not approve of the Democrats in Congress and how they are carrying out their duties. The Marist/NPR/PBS News poll, released on July 1, states that 58 percent of American voters disapprove of what the Democratic leaders are doing in Congress, with just 27 percent approving.

Even a majority of Democrats do not approve of the job the Democratic leaders are doing, with only 44 percent saying they back their party’s leaders and 43 percent saying they disapprove.

In contrast, 52 percent of voters say they disapprove of congressional Republicans’ leadership, which is down from 66 percent. Thirty-six percent of voters, including 73 percent of Republicans, say they approve of congressional Republicans’ performance, up from 26 percent in 2024.

While the Republican numbers are still negative overall, they still show that dissatisfaction with the Democrats, particularly among their own voters, runs far deeper, despite the fact that they are in opposition in both congressional chambers.

For months, the Democrats have been largely leaderless following the disastrous defeat of their 2024 presidential candidate, former Vice President Kamala Harris. The party has fractured with no clear figurehead as Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, 74, and former Speaker Nancy Pelosi, 85, lose relevance in their old age, and different factions are vying for influence ahead of the 2026 midterms.

An example was seen earlier this year when gun control activist David Hogg was selected as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee (DNC). Soon after his election, Hogg announced he would spend millions of dollars to go after candidates not deemed woke or progressive enough. This led to strong criticism of Hogg and ultimately to his ouster from the position, on the pretext that his election had violated their gender equality policies.

Image by Victoria Pickering.

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1 hour ago
Lawfare

This Biden Judge Is Blocking Trump’s HHS Reforms.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal judge in Rhode Island blocked the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) from implementing mass layoffs and reorganizing its sub-agencies, alleging a lack of rational basis for the plans.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Judge Melissa DuBose, HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., 19 Democratic attorneys general, and officials from various federal health agencies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued in Rhode Island on July 1, after legal action was initiated in May following Kennedy’s March announcement of the restructuring plan.

💬KEY QUOTE: “HHS has failed to produce a shred of evidence that services to States and access to critical information would continue uninterrupted,” wrote Judge Melissa DuBose in her opinion.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling halts layoffs and restructuring efforts, leaving thousands of employees in limbo and challenging the executive’s authority to unilaterally reorganize federal agencies.

IN FULL

A federal judge in Rhode Island, appointed by former President Joe Biden, has issued a preliminary injunction against the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), blocking a reorganization plan that included mass layoffs and the creation of a new agency. The ruling came after 19 Democratic state attorneys general and Washington, D.C., filed a lawsuit in May, arguing that the restructuring would have severe and potentially irreversible consequences for public health services nationwide.

U.S. District Court Judge Melissa DuBose, in her decision, stated that HHS had failed to provide evidence that critical services would remain uninterrupted during the reorganization. “Critical public health services have been interrupted, databases taken offline, status of grants thrown into chaos, technical assistance services gone, and training and consultation services curtailed. These are not unsubstantiated fears,” she claimed.

The restructuring plan, announced by HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. in March, included laying off approximately 10,000 employees and consolidating various offices under a new agency called the Administration for a Healthy America (AHA). Many employees who received layoff notices remain on administrative leave and are still being paid as litigation continues. The judge’s ruling has temporarily halted these efforts, pending further court proceedings.

The plaintiffs expressed concerns about the impact of the reorganization on agencies like the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the FDA’s Tobacco Products Center, and the Office of Head Start. “HHS is the backbone of our nation’s public health and social safety net,” New York Attorney General Letitia James said following the ruling.

Kennedy, testifying before Congress, acknowledged the ongoing court battles and stated that planning for the reorganization continues. He also noted that some layoffs have been reversed, including those of some scientists and researchers, while further cuts might still be required depending on the outcome of the legal challenges. “At that point, we will make decisions,” he said.

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2 hours ago
Politics

This Trump Ally Was Just Tapped as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has nominated Alina Habba to serve a full four-year term as the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Alina Habba, and the Senate.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Nomination announced Tuesday, July 1; Habba has been serving as Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey since March.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Alina will lead with the same diligence and conviction that has defined her career, and she will fight tirelessly to secure a Legal System that is both ‘Fair and Just’ for the wonderful people of New Jersey.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The nomination now heads to the Senate for consideration, as Habba continues to serve in her interim role.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has nominated Alina Habba to serve a full four-year term as U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, the White House announced on Tuesday. Habba is one of over two dozen nominations sent to the Senate for their consideration.

In March, Trump appointed Habba as the Interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, after the then-interim U.S. Attorney for New Jersey, John Giordani, was nominated to serve as the U.S  Ambassador to Namibia.

“It is with great pleasure that I am announcing Alina Habba, Esq., who is currently serving as Counselor to the President, and has represented me for a long time, will be our interim U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, her Home State, effective immediately,” Trump wrote at the time. “Alina will lead with the same diligence and conviction that has defined her career, and she will fight tirelessly to secure a Legal System that is both ‘Fair and Just’ for the wonderful people of New Jersey.”

During her time in the interim role, Habba oversaw charges brought against Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-NJ), who was indicted on federal charges of forcibly impeding and interfering with federal officers outside the Delaney Hall Federal Immigration Facility in Newark, New Jersey, on May 9.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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2 hours ago
Immigration

Trump Is Now Detaining Illegals From Three Continents at Gitmo.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration has expanded its use of Guantanamo Bay to house illegal immigrant detainees from many countries, including China, Jamaica, Liberia, and even the United Kingdom, according to internal U.S. government records.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, U.S. immigration authorities, detainees from multiple nations, and officials from the Departments of Homeland Security (DHS) and Defense (DoD).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, with reports of expanded transfers beginning in recent months.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The worst of the worst will be held at the base,” President Trump stated.

🎯IMPACT: The Trump White House emphasizes the use of Guantanamo Bay boosts deterrence against future illegal crossings into the United States and that the facility is being used to house high-risk detainees.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has recently expanded its use of the Guantanamo Bay naval base in Cuba to house illegal immigrant detainees from a wide array of countries, including China, Jamaica, Liberia, and even the United Kingdom, according to internal U.S. government records. These detainees are held separately from the terrorism suspects who remain at the facility.

Officials have stated that most of the detainees are classified as “high-risk,” a designation given to migrants with serious criminal records, histories of disruptive behavior, or suspected gang affiliations. However, the administration has also utilized Guantanamo Bay to detain some migrants it deems “low-risk,” who lack significant criminal histories and are primarily held for civil immigration violations.

The decision to transfer detainees from regions such as Africa, Asia, and Europe to Guantanamo comes as the U.S. immigration detention system exceeds its congressionally funded capacity. However, the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ which is nearing final passage in Congress, would expand funding for federal detention facilities—along with increasing the number of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents—and provide greater capacity to detain illegals.

The administration’s use of Guantanamo Bay reflects its broader crackdown on illegal immigration. This includes the establishment of detention centers in other locations, such as the wetlands of the Everglades, where a facility dubbed “Alligator Alcatraz” was unveiled by President Trump during a site visit on Tuesday.

The Department of Defense (DoD) reported spending $21 million on flights to transfer detainees to the Guantanamo base as of April.

Image by Paul Keller.

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3 hours ago
Politics

Tesla Shares Are Dipping Amid Musk-Trump Spending Bill Clash.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Tesla shares dropped sharply after a renewed public dispute between Elon Musk and President Donald J. Trump over the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill.’

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tesla CEO Elon Musk, President Trump, and Tesla investors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The stock drop occurred on Tuesday morning, following Musk’s comments over the weekend and on Monday. The dispute has played out publicly on Musk’s X platform (formerly Twitter) and elsewhere.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The bill would destroy millions of jobs in America.” – Elon Musk

🎯IMPACT: Tesla’s stock dropped 7.1 percent in early trading and remains down 5.4 percent as of late afternoon. The ongoing dispute is causing investor concerns over government scrutiny of Musk’s ventures.

IN FULL

Tesla shares dipped Tuesday morning following a public spat between Tesla CEO Elon Musk and President Donald J. Trump over the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill,’ which has passed the Senate and now heads back to the House for final approval. The electric vehicle company’s stock price fell 23 points in early trading, or 7.1 percent, and was down roughly 5.4 percent at $300.60 per share as of 1:50 PM EST.

Musk reignited the argument on Saturday by criticizing the bill, which President Trump is urging Congress to pass by July 4. Musk described the legislation as a “big, beautiful bill” that would “destroy millions of jobs in America.” On Monday, Musk escalated his rhetoric, suggesting he might form a new political party and support primary challenges against Republicans who vote in favor of the legislation.

President Trump responded Tuesday morning, highlighting the subsidies Musk’s companies receive from the government. He also suggested that the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), which Musk previously led before stepping down in May, might investigate government spending linked to Musk’s ventures.

Wedbush tech analyst Dan Ives noted in a report that investor concerns about increased scrutiny from the Trump administration could lead to weak trading early on, but he expects the situation to “settle at the end of the day.” Musk has previously called the reconciliation bill, which funds U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations and border security while cutting taxes on tips, overtime, and social security, “pork-filled” and a “disgusting abomination.”

Tesla stock prices have fallen roughly 21 percent since the start of the year, with Musk’s involvement in political disputes becoming a significant issue for investors. The company is set to release its quarterly earnings tomorrow.

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4 hours ago
Politics

The USAID ‘NGO Industrial Complex’ Is Officially Over.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will cease implementing foreign assistance programs, with the State Department taking over such efforts under the Trump administration.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, the Trump administration, and USAID.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made Tuesday; changes effective July 1.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end.” – Marco Rubio

🎯IMPACT: Over 80 percent of USAID programs will be cut, with 5,200 of 6,200 programs canceled.

IN FULL

The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) will no longer implement foreign assistance programs, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced Tuesday. Beginning July 1, the State Department will take over such programs under the Trump administration’s directive to prioritize America’s national interests.

Rubio stated that USAID has failed to meet development objectives for decades, often worsening instability and fostering anti-American sentiment. “Beyond creating a globe-spanning NGO industrial complex at taxpayer expense, USAID has little to show since the end of the Cold War,” Rubio remarked, adding: “This era of government-sanctioned inefficiency has officially come to an end.”

The Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) recently conducted a review of USAID’s operations, leading to the cancellation of over 80 percent of its programs. Rubio revealed that approximately 5,200 of USAID’s 6,200 programs will be terminated. Controversial funding decisions, such as a $1.5 million program to promote “diversity, equity, and inclusion” in Serbia and a $70,000 “DEI musical” in Ireland, contributed to the agency’s scrutiny.

Critics of the decision include Democrats and activists, with actress Charlize Theron voicing strong opposition. Theron claimed that foreign aid cuts have brought HIV and AIDS programs in South Africa to a halt, describing the situation as “absolutely heartbreaking.” She also criticized U.S. immigration policies and alleged a rollback of women’s and LGBTQ rights, stating, “Here in Los Angeles, in the U.S. and across the globe, we are moving backwards fast.” It is unclear whether Theron was voicing support for the violent, pro-illegal immigration riots in Los Angeles or just opposition to several large-scale U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement raids across the city.

Despite the criticism, the Trump administration has maintained that the changes will ensure foreign funding aligns with American interests, emphasizing greater accountability and efficiency under the State Department’s oversight.

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4 hours ago
Economy

Media Concedes: Trump’s Tariffs Boost Government Revenue and Don’t Hurt Consumers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Despite corporate media claims, President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies appear to be working as the White House has stated, increasing government tax revenue with minimal impact on domestic consumer prices.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, U.S. corporations, foreign producers, American consumers,  conservatives, and critics of the administration’s tariff policies.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing debate in 2025, with tariffs implemented in February and April.

🎯IMPACT: Tariffs have generated over $121 billion in revenue without increasing consumer prices, challenging critics’ negative predictions.

IN FULL

The corporate media is being forced to admit that President Donald J. Trump’s tariff policies are working, with the U.S. collecting over $121 billion in tariff revenue, little evidence that the trade duties are impacting domestic consumers, and inflation continuing to cool. For weeks leading up to the April 2 ‘Liberation Day’ tariffs, so-called experts insisted that Trump’s imposition of import levies would reignite inflation. However, as The National Pulse has repeatedly pointed out, tariffs have traditionally had deflationary effects, and under Trump, inflation has continued to cool.

Contrary to establishment predictions, consumer prices have not risen, leaving opponents scrambling to explain the data. Some still forecast a belated economic disaster, while others acknowledge the potential for tariffs to help pay down the national debt over time. Misconceptions about tariffs persist, with many believing they are a tax on foreign producers.

In reality, tariffs are taxes on companies sourcing goods internationally from targeted nations. These companies face a choice: adapt by sourcing from the U.S. or non-targeted countries to keep costs low, or find alternative ways to absorb the expenses. Raising prices is often a last resort, as consumers can easily cut back on non-essential goods.

Critics, including some Democrats and conservatives, had predicted sharp price increases as corporations passed tariff costs onto consumers. However, inflation data, such as the Federal Reserve’s preferred inflation gauge and the Consumer Price Index (CPI), has remained relatively stable, contradicting these forecasts. Some attribute this to “front-loading” of imports before tariffs took effect, but that explanation fails to account for sustained stability months after implementation.

At the current pace, tariffs could generate approximately $300 billion in revenue by year-end and $1.2 trillion over four years. While this revenue won’t offset all debt spending, it provides an alternative to tax hikes on the public. If inflation concerns remain overstated, tariffs could become a long-term strategy for economic growth and debt reduction.

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5 hours ago
William Upton
Breaking

BREAKING: Senate Passes ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ After Vance Breaks Tie.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The United States Senate has passed the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ after embarking on the longest amendment vote-a-rama in American history. Vice President J.D. Vance, acting in his capacity as President of the Senate, cast the tiebreaking vote, following two previous tiebreaking votes on amendments to the bill.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Senate Republicans, Senate Democrats, Donald J. Trump, Vice President J.D. Vance, and the House of Representatives.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Senate version of the reconciliation bill was adopted on Tuesday, July 1, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ now heads back to the House for final approval, though the version passed by the Senate could face headwinds among House Republicans.

IN FULL

The ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ passed the United States Senate on Tuesday, July 1, after an over 24-hour period of amendments being offered on the legislation, called a ‘vote-a-rama’—the longest to occur in American history. Senate Republicans were able to adopt the budget reconciliation bill, which implements most of President Donald J. Trump’s domestic policy agenda, after Vice President J.D. Vance, acting in his capacity as President of the Senate, cast three tiebreaking votes, on the bill as a whole and two amendments to it. Notably, the budget reconciliation process circumvents the Senate filibuster, meaning only 51 votes were needed.

Three Senate Republicans—Sens. Rand Paul (R-KY), Thom Tillis (R-NC), and Susan Collins (R-ME)—voted against the bill. The three joined all 47 Senate Democrats in opposition.

Now that the ‘One Big Beautiful Bill’ has passed the Senate, it will head back to the House of Representatives, where lawmakers will need to consider the changes made to the legislation by the upper chamber. Already, some House conservatives are voicing concerns over changes made by the Senate, although House Republican leadership has expressed confidence that they will be able to secure a vote on final passage and have the bill on President Donald J. Trump’s desk for the July 4 holiday.

It is expected that the House Rules Committee will move to take up the budget reconciliation bill immediately, with House leaders indicating a final vote could be held as soon as Wednesday. However, with the vote for adoption having taken longer than anticipated in the Senate, this could push the House vote back to Thursday.

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5 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
News

Another Food Corp Is Ditching Synthetic Dyes Amid ‘MAHA’ Push.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Synthetic dyes will be removed from all Hershey’s snacks by the end of 2027, amid a push by the Trump administration and Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. to ‘Make America Healthy Again.’

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Hershey Co., Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX), state lawmakers in Texas and West Virginia.

📍WHEN & WHERE: United States, changes take effect between 2027 and 2028.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Removing these colors is a natural next step in our program to ensure consumers have options to fit their lifestyle while maintaining trust and confidence in our products.” – Hershey spokesman

🎯IMPACT: The removal of synthetic dyes by major food companies reflects growing pressure from the Trump administration, state governments, and consumers.

IN FULL

Hershey Co. will remove synthetic dyes from its snack products by the end of 2027, citing growing legislative pressure at the state level. The company said it aims to preempt regulations and ensure customer trust by voluntarily shifting away from artificial colorants in its chocolate, candy, and popcorn brands.

“There is a patchwork of state regulations emerging that is creating confusion and will ultimately increase consumer costs,” a Hershey spokesman said. “Removing these colors is a natural next step in our program to ensure consumers have options to fit their lifestyle while maintaining trust and confidence in our products.”

Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has prioritized the removal of “poisonous” artificial dyes from U.S. foods, with an initial focus on encouraging voluntary removal and supporting state-level action. This includes a West Virginia law that will ban the sale of dyed foods starting in 2028 and a Texas law signed by Governor Greg Abbott (R) requiring warning labels on synthetic dye products beginning in 2027.

Hershey joins other major food corporations, such as Nestlé SA, Conagra Brands Inc., Kraft Heinz Co., and General Mills Inc., which have committed to removing dyes from their American product lines.

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