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Monday, July 14, 2025
46 minutes ago
News
War

Trump Gives Putin 50 Days to Make Peace.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced “very severe” secondary sanctions on nations purchasing Russian oil if the war in Ukraine is not resolved within 50 days.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Russian President Vladimir Putin.

📍WHEN & WHERE: July 14, 2025, in the Oval Office at the White House, Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I’ve been hearing so much talk. It’s all talk. It’s all talk—and then missiles go into Kiev and kill 60 people.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The proposed sanctions could hamstring Russian trade by making prohibitively expensive for their buyers to trade with the U.S., potentially pressuring Moscow to end the war in Ukraine.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump has threatened to impose secondary sanctions on countries buying Russian oil if the Ukraine war remains unresolved by September 2. In remarks from the Oval Office with NATO Secretary-General Mark Rutte, Trump voiced frustration with Russia’s actions and vowed to act decisively.

The potential sanctions, which could be as high as 100 percent, would sharply raise import costs for targeted nations. Trump stressed the urgency of ending the war, saying, “I’ve been hearing so much talk. It’s all talk. It’s all talk. And then missiles go into Kiev and kill 60 people.”

Joined by Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump criticized Russian President Vladimir Putin for empty rhetoric and underscored U.S. efforts to mediate a resolution to the conflict, which began with Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in 2022 and continues to cause significant casualties, despite minimal territorial changes at the front.

If enacted, the sanctions would target not only Russia, but nations purchasing Russian oil—similar to the secondary sanctions used to crush the Iranian economy during Trump’s first term. The America First leader called the proposed measures “very severe” and expressed his preference for a peaceful resolution to the war.

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1 hour ago
Jack Montgomery
Lawfare
Politics

Lawyers Flee Pam Bondi’s DOJ.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Nearly two-thirds of the Department of Justice (DOJ) Federal Programs Branch lawyers have left since President Donald J. Trump’s re-election, raising concerns over internal divisions under Attorney General Pam Bondi’s stewardship.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Attorney General Bondi, Federal Programs Branch attorneys.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C., November 2024–July 2025.

🎯IMPACT: With over 60 lawyers leaving and the DOJ rocked by fallout from Bondi’s mishandling of the Jeffrey Epstein case, the department is scrambling to fill gaps and defend administration policies on immigration, education, and executive power.

IN FULL

The Department of Justice (DOJ) Federal Programs Branch, responsible for defending many of President Donald J. Trump’s key policies against lawfare suits, has seen a wave of resignations, with 69 of roughly 110 lawyers either leaving or announcing plans to do so. The departures—verified by Reuters—stem partly from supposed ethical concerns among lawyers opposed to Trump’s policies, such as attempting to limit birthright citizenship, but also from morale issues.

The DOJ is currently at the center of a huge public backlash over a memo insisting pedophile financier Jeffrey Epstein died by suicide, that no “client list” for him exists, and that no further information about his case can be released.

A Justice Department spokesman acknowledged the “unprecedented number of lawsuits” against Trump’s policies but noted that the Department has prevailed in many, including at the Supreme Court. However, dissidents within the DOJ said staffers feel pressure to misrepresent issues from Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The resignations include at least 10 of the Federal Programs Branch’s 23 supervisors. DOJ leadership has brought in 15 political appointees and reassigned attorneys from other units to manage the caseload. The administration also removed hiring freezes to bolster staffing. Former Civil Division chief Peter Keisler said the legal workload is staggering.

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2 hours ago
News
UK

Trump Will Make an Unprecedented Second State Visit to the United Kingdom.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has been invited for a second state visit to the United Kingdom, an unprecedented honor for a U.S. President.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, King Charles III, Queen Camilla, First Lady Melania Trump, and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The visit will take place in September at Windsor Castle, west of London.

💬KEY QUOTE: “That’s really something,” Trump previously said about the invitation, calling it a “great, great honor.”

🎯IMPACT: The visit could influence British-American trade relations and marks a significant moment in the ongoing diplomatic relationship between the nations.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump is set to make an unprecedented second state visit to the United Kingdom this September, at the invitation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla. First Lady Melania Trump is expected to accompany him. No previous American president has received more than one state invitation from the British monarchy.

Trump’s first state visit to Britain occurred in 2019, hosted by the late Queen Elizabeth II. This time, instead of staying at Buckingham Palace, which is undergoing extensive renovations, the America First leader will be welcomed at Windsor Castle, a royal residence roughly 30 miles west of London.

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer reportedly personally delivered the invitation during his White House visit earlier this year. In response, Trump called the gesture a “great, great honor,” adding, “That’s really something.”

State visits are typically symbolic in nature, emphasizing diplomatic goodwill and strong international ties. Although the monarch extends the formal invitation, such decisions are made in close coordination with the political government. The timing of this visit comes amid the United Kingdom’s efforts to improve trade relations with the U.S., particularly after a dip in British exports earlier this year that raised concerns about economic performance.

Trump recently rolled back tariffs on British aerospace goods. However, a 25 percent tariff remains in place for British steel beyond a certain quota, which remains a sticking point in trade negotiations. Prime Minister Starmer reportedly hopes the upcoming visit might help smooth over ongoing disagreements and boost economic ties.

During his 2019 visit, Trump openly backed former Prime Minister Boris Johnson and offered his opinions on the Brexit process. He also stirred controversy with public remarks about London Mayor Sadiq Khan, whom he criticized harshly.

This upcoming visit could also have international implications beyond the United Kingdom, particularly concerning Canada, where King Charles is also the constitutional monarch. In recent months, the U.S. and Canada have often been at odds over trade, with Trump floating the idea of absorbing Canada into the Union as the 51st state. In May, the King reaffirmed Canada’s sovereignty during a speech in its Parliament, declaring, “The true north is indeed strong and free.”

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3 hours ago
Jack Montgomery
Politics

Biden Admits He Did Not Individually Approve Most Pardons and Commutations.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Former President Joe Biden admitted he did not individually approve each name listed in his last-minute clemency actions, instead authorizing “standards” for assistants to follow while the autopen was used to finalize the warrants.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Joe Biden, his former Chief of Staff Jeffrey Zients, former White House Counsel Ed Siskel, former Staff Secretary Stefanie Feldman, and GOP investigators, including Representative James Comer (R-KY) and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C., November 2024–January 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: “[T]he only things that really we read off names for were, for example, you know, was I, what was I going to do about, for example, Mark Milley?” – Joe Biden

🎯IMPACT: Republicans are investigating whether Biden’s aides issued pardons without his direct involvement, especially after his poor debate 2024 performance underlined his cognitive decline. The clemency actions include controversial preemptive pardons for Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and others.

IN FULL

Former President Joe Biden admitted in a New York Times interview that “assistants” were responsible for notifying the autopen manager as to who should receive a pardon or commutation. Biden merely signed off on broad “standards” for most acts of clemency.

“[T]he only things that really we read off names for were, for example, you know, was I, what was I going to do about, for example, Mark Milley?” Biden told the newspaper. For the most part, names were filled in by the Bureau of Prisons, and autopen use was managed by aides based on meeting notes and summaries. However, Biden defended this practice, claiming full awareness of each decision.

“I made every decision,” Biden said in a phone interview with the NYT. “We’re talking about a whole lot of people.” He accused President Trump and Republicans of lying, and suggested his actions with respect to figures like Milley and Dr. Anthony Fauci were a precaution against Trump being “vindictive” in office.

Biden authorized 25 high-profile pardons, nearly 4,000 commutations, and spared all but three death row inmates. However, the sole warrant he signed personally was for his son, Hunter Biden.

Republicans, led by House Oversight Chair James Comer (R-KY) and Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI), are investigating whether Biden’s mental decline allowed his aides to hijack the clemency process.

Some former aides have invoked the Fifth Amendment or retained legal counsel in response to the investigation.

Key figures pardoned include Dr. Anthony Fauci, General Mark Milley, and Liz Cheney and other members of the January 6 committee.

Then-Staff Secretary Stefanie Feldman coordinated the autopen process after receiving meeting notes from aides like Jeffrey Zients and Ed Siskel.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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4 hours ago
Wake Up Right
War

Trump’s Plan to Arm Ukraine Without U.S. Tax Dollars:

President Donald Trump is leaning on the Europeans to get weapons into Ukrainian hands—without draining the American taxpayers.

The details: Trump confirmed that the U.S. plans to sell offensive weapons directly to NATO allies, who will then transfer them to Ukraine.

  • 💬 Trump told NBC News: “NATO is paying for those weapons, 100 percent.”
  • 🚀 The weapons include Patriot missile systems, air-to-air missiles, and Howitzer rounds. Axios also reports it may also include long-range missiles that could reach targets deep inside Russia.
  • 🤔 Who’s paying? Germany, Spain, and Norway have offered to buy Patriot missile systems for Ukraine.

Why this matters: Up until this point, Trump has only offered defensive weapons as he sought to end the conflict.

A message to Putin: Since taking office, Trump has aggressively sought to end the war between Russia and Ukraine. But in recent weeks, his patience with Vladimir Putin appears to be wearing thin. At a recent cabinet meeting, Trump said:

  • “We get a lot of bullshit thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth. He’s very nice all of the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.”
  • Trump no longer believes the Russian president is serious about peace. His latest decision to begin arming Ukraine should be seen as a direct response.

Real talk from G: This latest move isn’t as much about Ukraine as it is about Putin. Everything is a negotiation for Trump. Giving Ukraine access to weapons is part of the Art of the Deal.

What happens next? NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte will meet with Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio this week to iron out the details.

Something to keep an eye on: There’s a bill in the Senate being pushed by Lindsey Graham and Democrat Senator Richard Blumenthal, which would call for a 500 percent tariff on all goods imported from countries that buy Russian oil, gas, and other exports—namely, China, India, and Brazil. In my opinion, this would be a bad move. When Joe Biden put economic sanctions on Russia, it drove them closer to China.

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President Donald Trump is leaning on the Europeans to get weapons into Ukrainian hands—without draining the American taxpayers. show more
14 hours ago
News

Ghislaine Maxwell Could Testify Before Congress on Epstein ‘Client List.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ghislaine Maxwell has reportedly expressed willingness to testify before Congress about “The Epstein Files,” according to the Daily Mail.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ghislaine Maxwell, Jeffrey Epstein, President Trump, and others allegedly connected to Epstein’s activities.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Maxwell is currently serving a 20-year sentence; her willingness to testify was reported as of July 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “She would be more than happy to sit before Congress and tell her story.” – Source close to Maxwell

🎯IMPACT: The case continues to raise questions about the lack of further prosecutions and the alleged “cover-up” surrounding Epstein’s associates.

IN FULL

Ghislaine Maxwell, currently serving a 20-year sentence for child sex trafficking charges, has reportedly expressed her willingness to testify before Congress regarding “The Epstein Files.” Sources close to Maxwell revealed that she has never been approached by government officials to share what she knows, despite her central role in the Epstein case.

Maxwell, 63, was convicted in 2022 for her involvement in a scheme to exploit and abuse underage girls alongside Jeffrey Epstein. She has argued that she should have been protected from prosecution under a 2007 Non-Prosecution Agreement made by Epstein, which allowed him to plead guilty to minor charges in exchange for leniency.

Trump’s Department of Justice has bizarrely maintained that there is no “client list” associated with Epstein’s activities, a claim that has drawn criticism and fuelled allegations of a cover-up. Questions have also been raised about missing footage from Epstein’s jail cell on the night of his death, which the DOJ ruled as a suicide in 2019.

On Truth Social, President Trump addressed accusations of a cover-up, stating: “For years, it’s Epstein, over and over again. Why are we not giving publicity to files written by Obama, Crooked Hillary, Comey, Brennan and the losers and criminals of the Biden administration?” Meanwhile, Maxwell’s legal team continues to push for her appeal to be heard by the Supreme Court, with a response from the U.S. government expected on July 14.

The Epstein case remains a topic of heated debate, with critics questioning why no other high-profile individuals have faced charges. Maxwell’s willingness to testify before Congress could potentially shed new light on the case.

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24 hours ago
News

Britain’s Ambassador, an Ardent Europhile, Admits The New US-UK Trade Deal Couldn’t Have Happened Without Brexit.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Lord Mandelson discussed the US-UK Trade deal and its relation to Brexit.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Lord Mandelson, President Trump, and the British government.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Interview with The Sunday Times, in context of recent trade developments.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Undoubtedly, we couldn’t have done this deal if we had remained part of the European Union…” – Lord Mandelson

🎯IMPACT: The trade deal gives British products a competitive edge in the US market.

IN FULL

Lord Mandelson, a prominent UK ambassador to the US and known Europhile, has acknowledged the role of Brexit in facilitating a new trade deal with the United States. In an interview with The Sunday Times, he admitted, “we couldn’t have done this deal if we had remained part of the European Union.”

The discussion revolved around the latest trade agreement between President Trump and the British government, highlighting the opportunities Brexit has provided for such negotiations.

Mandelson, despite also claiming losses from leaving the EU, emphasized the positive aspects, stating, “we lost many other things by leaving, but we get the chance to do this deal. So there’s some positives.”

He also remarked on the arrival of British products in the US market, stating, “We are seeing brilliant first-class British products arriving here to pass into the hands of grateful, high-paying American consumers.” This development, he noted, gives British goods like Aston Martins a 17.5% competitive advantage over European counterparts such as Mercedes and Ferraris.

The interview also touched on political figures, with Mandelson commenting on Nigel Farage’s polling success and offering insights into J.D. Vance’s private demeanor.

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July 12, 2025
Lauren Gallagher
Economy
News

Here’s How the ‘Trump Accounts’ for American Children in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act Will Work:

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Starting in July 2026, all U.S. newborns from 2025 to 2028 will receive a $1,000 government-funded account to help with future financial needs. These accounts are similar to hybrid IRAs, allowing investments and contributions from family and employers. When the child turns 18, the account will convert to a traditional IRA, offering tax benefits and growth potential.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Ian Berger, an analyst with Ed Slott and Company, and Cheryl Costa, a financial adviser in Framingham, Massachusetts.

📍WHERE & WHEN: United States, 2025-2028

💬KEY QUOTE: “To me, it’s a supercharged IRA.” – Cheryl Costa

🎯IMPACT: Newborns receive a $1,000 investment at birth to kickstart lifelong savings, encouraging early financial planning for families of all incomes. While it won’t cover immediate expenses, it lays the foundation for future wealth, especially when supplemented by additional contributions.

IN FULL

American newborns are eligible to receive $1,000 from the U.S. government starting this year through 2028, according to a provision included in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. These new ‘Trump Accounts’ are intended to assist families with their children’s financial and economic needs.

The government will provide a one-time contribution of $1,000 to each account for U.S. citizens born between 2025 and 2028 who have been assigned Social Security numbers, aligning with Trump’s current term in office. According to financial experts, they are structured almost like hybrid individual retirement accounts.

There are no income restrictions for this contribution. Family members and employers can contribute up to $5,000 each year to the accounts. There’s no tax deduction for contributions made before a child turns 18, but funds provided by employers, up to $2,500 a year, won’t count as taxable income.

Money in the accounts must be invested in low-cost stock mutual funds or exchange-traded funds tracking a U.S. stock index, like the S&P 500. Withdrawals are permitted when the beneficiary turns 18, and from then on, the account will be converted to an IRA, subject to standard contribution limits and rules, according to Ian Berger, an analyst with Ed Slott and Company. Under Internal Revenue Service (IRS) rules, traditional IRA contributions are tax-deductible for those who qualify based on income and other factors.

Withdrawals from traditional IRAs before age 59½ are generally taxed as ordinary income, plus a 10 percent penalty, although this can be waived in certain circumstances, such as using the funds to pay for higher education, for the birth of a child, or to make a down payment on a first home. “To me, it’s a supercharged IRA,” said Cheryl Costa, a financial adviser in Framingham, Massachusetts, of the ‘Trump Accounts.’ The accounts are expected to launch in July 2026.

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July 11, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Revealed: Dangerous, Criminal Pasts of Migrants at ‘Alligator Alcatraz.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: New details from the Florida Attorney General’s office reveal that migrants awaiting deportation at the “Alligator Alcatraz” detention center include those convicted of serious crimes such as murder, rape, and organized crime.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Florida Attorney General’s office, Communications Director Jeremy Redfern, several convicted criminals awaiting deportation, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The detention facility, known as “Alligator Alcatraz,” opened earlier this month in the Everglades, Florida.

💬KEY QUOTE: “It’s known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ which is very appropriate, because I looked outside, and that’s not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon.” — President Donald J. Trump

🎯IMPACT: The facility is housing dangerous migrants, including murderers and gang members, who are bound for deportation.

IN FULL

Florida officials have disclosed the criminal histories of several migrants currently held at a new state-run detention facility known as “Alligator Alcatraz.” The information, released by the office of Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier, outlines the serious offenses committed by several individuals awaiting deportation.

“The left-wing press continues to spend their time amplifying false reports, but the reality is that there are monsters awaiting deportation within Alligator Alcatraz far worse than the monsters lurking in the surrounding Everglades,” said a spokesman for Uthmeier.

Among those detained is Lazaro Rodriguez Santana, a Cuban national who was convicted in Texas for sexual assault and for failing to register as a sex offender. Jose Fortin, a citizen of Honduras, was found guilty of second-degree murder in Miami-Dade County. Another Honduran detainee, Oscar “Satan” Sanchez, reportedly affiliated with the notoriously violent MS-13 gang, was convicted in New York of conspiracy to commit murder, assault, and charges under the Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations (RICO) Act.

Other individuals include Guatemalan national Luis Donald Corado, who was convicted of burglary and voyeurism, and Wilfredo Alberto Lazama-Garcia of Venezuela, wanted in his home country for murder and robbery, and convicted in the U.S. for conspiracy to defraud the federal government.

Particularly disturbing is the case of Eddy Lopez Jemot, a Cuban national with convictions for murder, arson, and assault. According to authorities, Jemot slit an elderly woman’s throat in Key Largo, Florida, and set her home ablaze. He also reportedly later threatened to behead another woman.

“Alligator Alcatraz,” located in Florida and opened earlier this month, is backed by the state government and expected to utilize repurposed Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) funding. President Donald J. Trump recently toured the facility and remarked, “It’s known as ‘Alligator Alcatraz,’ which is very appropriate, because I looked outside, and that’s not a place I want to go hiking anytime soon.” He added, “But very soon, this facility will have some of the most menacing migrants, some of the most vicious people on the planet.”

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July 11, 2025
Crime
UK

Farage: The ‘Grooming Gangs’ Scandal Is Getting Even Worse.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: An English police force has launched an investigation into allegations that records were falsified in a “grooming gang” case involving a father’s attempts to rescue his daughter from Pakistani-heritage rapists.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Reform Party leader Nigel Farage, South Yorkshire Police, the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), and “Jack” (a pseudonym) alongside his daughter “Elizabeth” (also a pseudonym).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The events occurred in Rotherham, England, in 2005, with recent developments unfolding in 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “However bad we thought the grooming gang scandal was, it just got worse.” – Nigel Farage

🎯IMPACT: Calls for the Rotherham incident to be included in an official national inquiry into grooming gangs have intensified.

IN FULL

Reform Party leader Nigel Farage has raised concerns over Britain’s child sexual “grooming gang” scandal, stating it is “getting worse” following reports of police corruption in Rotherham, England.

These reports suggest that records may have been falsified to cover up two arrests of a father, “Jack,” who was attempting to rescue his daughter, “Elizabeth,” from a rape gang in 2005. South Yorkshire Police has confirmed it has launched an investigation into the allegations.

Farage said, “However bad we thought the grooming gang scandal was, it just got worse.” He also stated on X that “South Yorkshire Police have failed yet again in their duty to protect children.”

Jack reported that his daughter was abused and trafficked by a gang over a 10-week period. Despite making “hundreds” of reports to South Yorkshire Police, Jack claims it is he who was arrested twice while trying to rescue Elizabeth. Police records covering the period show inconsistencies, including an address listed for Jack that he did not live at until years later.

The Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC) reviewed complaints made by Elizabeth, upholding several but not the claim regarding Jack’s arrests due to insufficient evidence. In 2021, the IOPC referred the matter back to South Yorkshire Police, which has now decided to investigate itself.

The investigation coincides with Home Secretary Yvette Cooper‘s announcement that nearly 1,000 previously closed grooming cases have been reopened as part of a national inquiry into grooming gangs. Farage has called for the Rotherham case to be included in this inquiry.

A government-commissioned report on Britain’s grooming gangs, comprised largely of South Asian Muslims preying on working-class white girls, was released last month. It showed that in many cases, the ethnicity of the gangs was not recorded or was ignored. Notably, grooming gang abuse went unchecked for years because the police and other authorities feared stoking racism or being accused of racism if they tackled it properly.

Despite this, the report still noted that Pakistani-background men were vastly overrepresented in grooming gang activity, contrary to establishment claims that such overrepresentation is a myth.

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