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Thursday, July 17, 2025
13 minutes ago
Politics

Musk’s Approval Has Cratered Since He Turned on Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Elon Musk’s favorability rating has dropped significantly, particularly among Republicans, following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Elon Musk, President Trump, and polling respondents.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll results were published on Thursday by CNN.

🎯IMPACT: Despite his slide in popularity, Musk’s proposed “America Party” could still siphon votes from the GOP, benefiting Democrats in future elections.

IN FULL

Elon Musk’s favorability rating has plummeted to 23 percent, according to new polling data released Thursday. The Tesla CEO, who has faced mounting criticism following his fallout with President Donald J. Trump, now sees 60 percent of Americans holding an unfavorable opinion of him. This marks a 12-point drop in favorability since March, alongside a seven-point increase in unfavorable views.

The decline found in the poll, released by CNN, is most pronounced among Republicans. In March, 75 percent of Republicans viewed Musk favorably, but that figure has since fallen to just 42 percent. This shift coincides with Musk’s announcement of his “America Party,” a new political venture aimed at creating a third-party alternative in the U.S.

Musk’s new party is struggling to gain traction. While an unscientific poll Musk conducted on X (formerly Twitter) showed support for the initiative, CNN’s scientific poll found that only 25 percent of Americans back the idea, with 74 percent opposed. The lack of enthusiasm could spell trouble for Musk’s ambitions, especially as the party’s impact appears to be limited to siphoning votes from Republicans.

According to Echelon Insights, the “America Party” would garner just five percent on a generic congressional ballot in 2026. However, that five percent would come entirely from Republican voters, shifting the balance from Republicans +1 to Democrats +4. This potential realignment could have significant consequences for upcoming elections.

Musk’s efforts to establish himself as a political force continue to face challenges, with his declining favorability and the potential disruption his party might cause within the American right. The fallout with President Trump appears to have further alienated a key base of support for the South African billionaire.

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China Spying
45 minutes ago
Wake Up Right
News

Microsft Accused of Exposing Pentagon to Chinese Spies.

Microsoft is accused of allowing China-based engineers work on U.S. military cloud systems with minimal oversight and safeguards, according to a bombshell ProPublica report.

The details: Beginning in 2016, Microsoft established a program dubbed “digital escorting” where it paid U.S. contractors $18/hr to pair with foreign engineers who worked on federal cloud systems.

  • The digital escorts were often ex-military with minimal tech skills.
  • The “escorts” acted as intermediaries, entering commands into Pentagon servers on behalf of China-based engineers.
  • The data fell below “classified” levels but included materials crucial to military operations.

In simple terms: Microsoft was paying these escorts for access to their security clearances.

Red flag: Experts worry that the digital escorts lacked the tech savvy to detect whether the Chinese engineers were engaging in sabotage or installing malware.

Aren’t there regulations to prevent this? Yes. Per Defense Department policy, individuals must be U.S. citizens or lawful permanent residents to access sensitive data.

Zoom out: In 2023, Chinese hackers breached Microsoft’s cloud and accessed data from the Commerce Secretary, the Ambassador to China, and the Pentagon.

What is Microsoft saying? They claim these foreign workers never had “direct access” to Pentagon data.

The last word goes to Michael Sobolik of the Hudson Institute, who said this program was “like asking the fox to guard the henhouse.”

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Microsoft is accused of allowing China-based engineers work on U.S. military cloud systems with minimal oversight and safeguards, according to a bombshell ProPublica report. show more
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14 hours ago
News

Maurene Comey, Epstein Prosecutor & Daughter of Ex-FBI Chief, Fired.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Maurene Comey, daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired from the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Maurene Comey, James Comey, and the Southern District of New York.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, at the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office.

💬KEY QUOTE: A spokesman for the Southern District of New York declined to comment.

🎯IMPACT: The reason for her firing remains unclear, but it follows her role in high-profile cases, including those involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell.

IN FULL

Maurene Comey, the daughter of former FBI Director James Comey, was fired Wednesday from the Manhattan US Attorney’s Office, where she prosecuted cases involving Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell. The reason for her dismissal has not been disclosed.

Comey, an assistant US attorney in the Southern District of New York since 2015, worked on several high-profile cases. These included the prosecution of Epstein and Maxwell, who was sentenced to 20 years in prison for multiple sex crimes. Most recently, she worked on the sex trafficking case against Sean “Diddy” Combs, which resulted in the jury acquitting him of significant charges such as racketeering and sex trafficking.

In the Diddy trial, the jury reached a verdict on four out of five charges, finding him guilty only of transportation to engage in prostitution. The nearly month-long trial concluded with Combs avoiding the most severe penalties.

The Southern District of New York declined to comment on the firing. Politico first reported Comey’s dismissal.

James Comey, her father, has been a controversial figure, especially following President Trump’s firing as FBI director in 2017. The Trump administration has investigated him for potential misconduct during the FBI’s 2016 Trump-Russia probe. Earlier this year, Comey faced scrutiny for a cryptic Instagram post that led to Trump’s accusations of incitement.

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15 hours ago
William Upton
Crime
Immigration

Businessman, Police Chiefs Indicted for Obtaining Visas for Illegals.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Federal prosecutors have filed a 62-count indictment against a Louisiana businessman and four senior law enforcement officials over an alleged scheme to use false police reports to obtain U-Visa status for illegal immigrants who paid them tens of thousands of dollars.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Local Louisiana businessman Chandrakant “Lala” Patel; Chad Doyle, Chief of Police for the City of Oakdale; Glynn Dixon, Chief of Police for the City of Forest Hill; Tebo Onishea, former Chief of Police for the City of Glenmora; Michael “Freck” Slaney, Marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale; and unnamed illegal immigrants.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The indictment was revealed on July 16, 2025; the scheme is alleged to have taken place from at least December 26, 2015, until July 15, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), “[T]he defendants each face a sentence of up to five years in prison on the conspiracy charge; up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges; up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge; and Patel faces up to 10 years on the bribery charge. In addition, they could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. “

🎯IMPACT: The federal charges raise questions regarding the legitimacy of U-Visa status and the potential for the program’s abuse.

IN FULL

The U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana has moved to indict three local Louisiana police chiefs, a city marshal, and a prominent business leader over an alleged immigration fraud scheme that gamed the U nonimmigrant status (“U-Visa”) system.

According to the 62-count indictment, local Louisiana businessman Chandrakant Patel—also known as “Lala”—conspired from at least December 26, 2015, until July 15, 2025 with Chad Doyle, Chief of Police for the City of Oakdale; Glynn Dixon, Chief of Police for the City of Forest Hill; Tebo Onishea, former Chief of Police for the City of Glenmora; and Michael “Freck” Slaney, Marshal of the Ward 5 Marshal’s Office in Oakdale to fabricate crimes in which illegal immigrants or legal immigrants with expiring status would be named as victims or witnesses. This allowed the immigrants to falsely obtain a U-Visa, allowing them to remain in the United States legally.

Federal prosecutors allege that illegal and legal immigrants would contact Patel either directly or through an intermediary to request to be named as “victims” in false police reports, paying Patel tens of thousands of dollars for the criminal act. Subsequently, after payment, Patel would proceed to contact either Doyle, Slaney, Dixon, or Onishea in order to have a false police report, usually regarding armed robbery, created with the immigrant’s name listed as the victim or witness. This would then allow the immigrant to file an application for a U-Visa, with the police report nearly guaranteeing they would secure status.

Notably, the U nonimmigrant status or U-Visa was created in 2000 through Congress’s adoption of the Victims of Trafficking and Violence Protection Act. The law’s intent is to aid law enforcement investigations by granting the ability to provide certain legal protections to illegal immigrants who are either victims or material witnesses to a crime—effecively removing the threat of deportation in exchange for their cooperation.

According to the Department of Justice (DOJ), “[T]he defendants each face a sentence of up to 5 years in prison on the conspiracy charge; up to 10 years on the visa fraud charges; up to 20 years on the mail fraud charge; and Patel faces up to 10 years on the bribery charge. In addition, they could be ordered to pay a fine of up to $250,000 on each count. “

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16 hours ago
Health
News

RFK Jr. Ousts Senior HHS Aides.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of Health and Human Services Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chief of Staff Heather Flick Melanson, Deputy Chief of Staff Hannah Anderson, and Acting Chief of Staff Matt Buckham.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday, at the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

🎯IMPACT: The shakeup marks the latest leadership changes under Kennedy, who continues efforts to “Make America Healthy Again.”

IN FULL

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. dismissed his chief of staff and deputy chief of staff on July 16, continuing a series of dramatic leadership changes and policy overhauls at one of the federal government’s largest agencies.

Heather Flick Melanson and Hannah Anderson were removed from their posts as chief and deputy chief of staff, respectively, following what officials described as a “loss of confidence” in their leadership. The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) confirmed the dismissals and named longtime conservative operative Matt Buckham as acting chief of staff.

The move follows Kennedy’s earlier decision in June to disband the 17-member Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) independent panel on vaccines.

Since taking the helm of HHS in February, Kennedy has led one of the most aggressive restructurings in the department’s history. According to reports, his office has overseen the termination of more than 10,000 federal health workers, with further layoffs planned across the CDC, U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other sub-agencies.

Entire divisions—including the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) and several minority health offices—have been eliminated or substantially downsized, as Kennedy pivots HHS’s priorities toward environmental and chronic health concerns.

One of his first actions in office was overseeing the establishment of the “Make America Healthy Again” (MAHA) Commission, which President Donald J. Trump created through an executive order. The commission recently published its findings on chronic disease in American children, citing excessive exposure to chemicals, overprescription of psychiatric drugs, and unhealthy diets as core contributors.

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16 hours ago
Immigration
News

Illegal Border Crossings Plunge to Another Record Low.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Illegal border crossings fell to their lowest level in June, with no parole releases of illegal immigrants, according to U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) data.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP), Border Patrol agents, and President Donald J. Trump.

📍WHEN & WHERE: June 2025, along the U.S.–Mexico border and nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “From shutting down illegal crossings to seizing fentanyl and enforcing billions in tariffs, CBP is delivering results on every front.” – CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott

🎯IMPACT: Record-low illegal border crossings and increased drug seizures underscore efforts to secure the border and combat cartel activities.

IN FULL

According to new data released by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) on Tuesday, illegal crossings at the U.S. border dropped to an unprecedented low in June. The agency reported 25,228 encounters nationwide, marking a decrease from May’s 29,478 and setting a new record for the lowest monthly total ever documented by CBP.

Border Patrol also recorded a historic drop in apprehensions, with only 8,024 apprehensions nationwide in June, down from 10,357 the previous month. Of those, 6,072 occurred along the southwest border, reflecting a 15 percent decline from the 7,183 apprehensions in March. The agency also logged its lowest single-day total ever on June 28, with just 136 apprehensions.

For the second month in a row, CBP confirmed that there were zero parole-style releases of illegal immigrants along the southwest border, signaling a shift in policy enforcement.

In contrast to the decline in crossings, drug seizures across the country increased by 13 percent in June compared to May. Methamphetamine confiscations, in particular, saw a dramatic surge of 102 percent, which officials attribute to ongoing crackdowns on cartel smuggling operations.

CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott emphasized the agency’s determination in a statement, saying:
“From shutting down illegal crossings to seizing fentanyl and enforcing billions in tariffs, CBP is delivering results on every front.” He added that the agency remains committed to protecting the nation “with relentless focus” under President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

Since retaking office on January 20 for a second term, President Trump has signed multiple executive orders to strengthen immigration enforcement. Among them is a directive to build additional border barriers, prosecute unlawful entrants, and take aggressive action against drug and human trafficking.

In April, the White House issued a memo allowing the U.S. military to assume control over federal lands near the U.S.–Mexico border. The order covers the Roosevelt Reservation—a federally owned 60-foot-wide strip along the border in parts of California, Arizona, and New Mexico. It authorizes Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth to secure the zone and impose access restrictions as needed to prevent illegal activity.

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17 hours ago
News

Trump Explains Objection to Epstein Release: ‘I Can Imagine What They Put Into Files…’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald Trump explained his objection to releasing the complete Epstein files in an interview with JustTheNews on Wednesday.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, the FBI, and potentially a special prosecutor.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The statement was made during an interview on Wednesday afternoon on the Just the News, No Noise television show.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I can imagine what they put into files, just like they did with the others. I mean, the Steele dossier was a total fake, right? It took two years to figure that out,” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The MAGA base’s hunt for more Epstein files may not be over, after all.

IN FULL

President Donald Trump appeared to express approval of the FBI’s decision to investigate alleged intelligence abuses over the past decade, suggesting the involvement of a special prosecutor and the potential inclusion of the Jeffrey Epstein case.

During an interview with Just the News, No Noise, Trump stated, “Well, I’m happy that they did that,” referring to the FBI’s recent decision to open a probe into abuses from 2016 to 2024. He emphasized the need for such an investigation, despite admitting limited knowledge about it.

Trump proposed that a special prosecutor could also examine “anything credible” related to Jeffrey Epstein, to ensure a comprehensive account for the American public. He criticized the handling of Epstein’s case by previous officials and expressed concern over potential manipulation of files to protect specific political interests.

“But they ought to look into the Jeffrey Epstein hoax too, because that’s another hoax that’s frankly, put out by the Democrats pushing, pushing the Republicans, and put out by the Democrats,” he said, clarifying: “I can imagine what they put into [the] files, just like they did with the others. I mean, the Steele dossier was a total fake, right? It took two years to figure that out… So I would imagine if they were run by Chris Wray and they were run by Comey, and because it was actually even before that administration, they’ve been running these files, and so much of the things that we found were fake.”

It remains unclear whether Trump has seen evidence from the Epstein files that he deems fake, whether this is information passed onto him, or whether he is just speculating. The statement differs greatly from his Wednesday morning missive on Truth Social, which blasted Epstein information seekers as “past” supporters of his.

“I don’t want their support anymore!” he wrote, to the surprise of many of his longest-standing advocates.

Trump had pledged to release the Epstein files in campaign interviews on the run-up to the 2024 election.

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18 hours ago
Crime
News

Car Laden With Weapons Including a Rifle, Rapier, and Bow Discovered at Capitol.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A man was arrested near the U.S. Capitol after police discovered a cache of weapons, including a bow, in his car.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Nolan R. Churan, United States Capitol Police, D.C. Metropolitan Police.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Capitol Hill, Washington, D.C., July 2025

💬KEY QUOTE: “Currently, there does not appear to be a nexus to the Congress.” – USCP

🎯IMPACT: The incident triggered a weapons investigation and raised concerns over Capitol security.

IN FULL

Capitol Police officers from the First Responders Unit discovered a suspicious vehicle parked improperly in a zone designated for Congressional staff in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday, July 16. The Subaru Outback, which had a large tricycle strapped to its roof, drew attention for lacking a valid parking permit.

Upon inspecting the vehicle, officers spotted weapons and accessories inside, including a bow and arrow, a knife, and an empty pistol holster. After running the driver’s license, police located 23-year-old Nolan R. Churan near the North Barricade of the Capitol, where he admitted to having firearms in his car.

A firearms detection K-9 from the D.C. Metropolitan Police alerted to potential ammunition or weapons, prompting a more extensive search. The U.S. Capitol Police Crime Scene Evidence Unit uncovered a rifle, a handgun, ammunition, multiple blades, including knives and axes, a halberd, a rapier sword, and a bow and arrow.

Churan now faces a series of charges, including Carrying a Pistol without a License, Carrying a Rifle without a License, Possession of a High-Capacity Ammunition Feeding Device, and Carrying a Dangerous Weapon – Sword.

The Capitol Police Threat Assessment Section is continuing to investigate to determine Churan’s intent. USCP officials released a statement noting, “Currently, there does not appear to be a nexus to the Congress.”

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18 hours ago
Immigration
Lawfare

Judges Back Green Card Migrants Against Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Third Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Department of Justice (DOJ) lacks the authority to unilaterally revoke a green card, citing a violation of Congress’s authority and the separation of powers.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The case involved Mohammad Qatanani, a New Jersey-based imam, and the DOJ’s Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The ruling was issued on Tuesday, July 15, 2025, by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The government’s position is antithetical to ‘the basic concept of separation of powers.’ … We therefore reject it.” – Circuit Judge Arianna Freeman

🎯IMPACT: The decision upholds Qatanani’s status as a lawful permanent resident and limits the DOJ’s authority to revoke green cards without adhering to what the court claims are procedures laid out by Congress.

IN FULL

A federal appeals court ruled on Tuesday that the Department of Justice’s (DOJ) Board of Immigration Appeals (BIA) lacks the power to unilaterally revoke a green card, stating that such actions violate Congress’s authority and the principle of separation of powers. The case involved Mohammad Qatanani, a New Jersey-based imam with alleged ties to Hamas, who has been seeking permanent residency in the United States for over two decades.

Judge Arianna Freeman, appointed by former President Joe Biden and writing for the majority of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals panel, argued, “The BIA exceeded its authority when it attempted to undo Qatanani’s adjustment to LPR status by using an agency regulation in a manner inconsistent with the procedures set out by Congress in the [Immigration and Nationality Act].” She further stated, “The government’s position is antithetical to ‘the basic concept of separation of powers.’ … We therefore reject it.”

Qatanani, who was admitted to the U.S. on a work visa in 1996, applied for permanent residency in 1999. Despite two favorable rulings by immigration judges in 2008 and 2020, the BIA vacated the earlier decision and attempted to order his removal. The court found that the BIA acted beyond its authority, particularly as the DOJ had failed to appeal the 2020 ruling within the required 30-day period.

Judge Paul Matey, a Trump-appointed judge, dissented, arguing that the petition should have been denied. He noted, “For more than a quarter century, five Presidents and 10 Attorneys General have objected to Mohammad Qatanani’s presence in our Nation.” Matey added that the court lacked jurisdiction to review the Executive’s discretionary decisions on status adjustments.

The ruling could have significant implications for lawful permanent residents, as its far-reaching language restricts the DOJ’s ability to retroactively revoke green cards without adhering to the court’s interpretation of legislative text passed by Congress. It is likely to be appealed.

Image by ACE603.

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19 hours ago
Economy

Another Tariff Win as American Industrial Output Surges.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. industrial production rose significantly more than expected in June, increasing by 0.3 percent month-over-month (MoM), surpassing the anticipated 0.1 percent MoM growth.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. manufacturing and industrial sectors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The data reflects industrial activity for June 2025 across the United States.

🎯IMPACT: The data indicates a stronger-than-expected performance in industrial production, with manufacturing output also rising, as President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs—designed to protect American businesses and producers from unfair foreign competition—come into force.

IN FULL

United States industrial production for June increased by 0.3 percent month-over-month, exceeding the expected 0.1 percent growth. Additionally, May’s previously reported 0.2 percent decline was revised upward to unchanged.

Year-over-year, industrial production rose by 0.73 percent, reflecting a steady improvement in the sector’s performance. Manufacturing output also showed positive momentum in June, increasing by 0.1 percent compared to expectations of no growth. This lifted the year-over-year growth in manufacturing output to 0.8 percent. Capacity utilization saw a modest uptick in June, but continues to remain in a broader downtrend, signaling that certain challenges may persist within the industrial space.

The jump in industrial production follows a number of major American companies announcing they are reshoring significant swaths of their production capacity to the United States. In June, Micron Technology announced it would make a $200 billion investment to expand its American chip manufacturing operations. Meanwhile, General Motors (GM) announced plans to invest $4 billion in U.S. plants over the next two years, while also shifting production of two vehicle lines away from Mexico in response to President Trump’s tariff policies, which are designed to stop American jobs from flowing to comparatively low-wage, low-regulation economies, where tariff and non-tariff barriers against U.S. products are often far stiffer than vice versa.

The National Pulse reported earlier on Wednesday that the June Producer Price Index (PPI) data indicated that inflationary pressures remain subdued, with headline and core PPI both printing cooler than expected. Notably, the PPI data further undermines claims by critics of President Donald J. Trump’s tariffs, who claim that the trade duties would accelerate inflation—including embattled Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell.

In addition, Trump’s tariffs have seen record trade duty revenues, while in May, the measures cut the U.S. trade deficit in half.

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