Saturday, September 20, 2025

D.C. Will NOT Be a Sanctuary City During Police Federalization: Homan.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump’s Border Czar, Tom Homan, stated that Washington, D.C., will not enforce sanctuary city policies while its police force is under federal control.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Tom Homan, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents, National Guard personnel, and D.C. law enforcement.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Washington, D.C., during the 30-day federal policing period.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The illegal alien criminal threat in D.C. is not going to be protected. There’s no sanctuary for these people in the city of D.C.” – Tom Homan

🎯IMPACT: Federal enforcement overrides sanctuary city policies, allowing ICE to detain criminal illegal immigrants.

IN FULL

Trump White House Border Czar Tom Homan says that Washington, D.C., will not function as a sanctuary city while under federal control. Homan made the assertion on Wednesday while speaking with the media.

According to Homan, President Donald J. Trump’s order to federalize the U.S. capital’s police force effectively negates the city’s sanctuary laws, allowing  U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents to engage in enforcement actions alongside assisting the Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). “Yes, I think D.C. under federal control is not going to be a sanctuary city. We’re working with the police hand in hand, and when we encounter a criminal, illegal alien, they will be turned over to ICE, and that’s the way it should be,” Homan said.

The Border Czar emphasized that the focus would be on criminal illegal immigrants, noting, “I’m not saying every illegal alien in D.C. is a criminal, but many are. So these are people we are going to focus on. The illegal alien criminal threat in D.C. is not going to be protected. There’s no sanctuary for these people in the city of D.C.”

During the first night of federalization, the MPD made 23 arrests, which were on the higher end of the daily average despite occurring over less than a 12-hour period. Earlier Monday, President Trump declared, “We’re going to take our capital back,” vowing to “rescue our nation’s capital from crime, bloodshed, bedlam, and squalor, and worse.”

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Putin Lauds ‘Energetic and Sincere’ Trump, Foresees Deal on Nukes in Alaska.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration for its efforts to end the conflict in Ukraine and expressed optimism about upcoming meetings on nuclear arms control.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Russian President Vladimir Putin, U.S. President Donald J. Trump, and senior officials from both nations.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Meetings between Trump and Putin are set to take place in Anchorage, Alaska, on Friday, following remarks by Putin on Thursday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The current American administration… is making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities, stop the crisis and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict,” Putin said.

🎯IMPACT: The potential for a peace deal hinges on agreements over Ukraine and nuclear arms control.

IN FULL

Russian President Vladimir Putin praised the Trump administration on Thursday for its “energetic” and “sincere” efforts to end the war in Ukraine. Speaking at a press briefing, he voiced optimism about planned meetings in Anchorage, Alaska, which he said could establish “long-term conditions for peace between our countries, as well as in Europe, and in the world as a whole.”

“The current American administration… is making, in my opinion, quite energetic and sincere efforts to stop the hostilities, stop the crisis and reach agreements that are of interest to all parties involved in this conflict,” the Russian leader continued, also stressoing the need for nuclear arms control agreements, referencing the 2011 New START treaty, which limits strategic nuclear weapons but is due to expire in 2026. Trump has often expressed his view that “nuclear warming” is the greatest threat facing mankind.

President Donald J. Trump appears hopeful that a deal can be reached, but he has voiced skepticism over Putin’s intentions in recent weeks. “We get a lot of bulls**t thrown at us by Putin, if you want to know the truth,” Trump said last month, adding: “He’s very nice all of the time, but it turns out to be meaningless.” He has also warned of “severe consequences” for Russia if the Ukraine conflict continues, including sweeping secondary sanctions on its trading partners.

Trump has said he believes the Alaska meeting “sets up the second meeting,” where the details of a peace deal can be hammered out—”but there is a 25 percent chance that this meeting will not be a successful meeting.”

The America First leader has said he expects press conferences following the meeting, although they may be separate rather than joint “if the meeting doesn’t end well.”

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Trump Seeks to Extend Federal Control Over D.C.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump announced plans to seek long-term extensions from Congress to maintain federal control of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald Trump, Congressional Republicans, and the D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD).

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcement made at the Kennedy Center on the evening of August 13, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “I think the Republicans in Congress will approve this pretty much unanimously,” said President Trump.

🎯IMPACT: Federal oversight of D.C. police could extend beyond the 30-day limit, requiring bipartisan support in Congress.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump announced late Wednesday that the White House will pursue “long-term extensions” from Congress to maintain control of Washington, D.C.’s Metropolitan Police Department (MPD). This move is part of the administration’s broader effort to address crime in the nation’s capital. “I think the Republicans in Congress will approve this pretty much unanimously,” Trump stated.

On Monday, the President signed an Executive Order directing the D.C. mayor to provide the MPD’s services for federal use. The order utilizes provisions of the 1973 Home Rule Act, which allows the President to federalize D.C. police forces for 48 hours, extendable up to 30 days with congressional notification. Any further extensions require a joint resolution from Congress.

Speaking at the Kennedy Center, Trump emphasized the need for a long-term solution. “We’re going to need a crime bill that we’re going to be putting in and it’s going to pertain initially to D.C. We’re going to be asking for extensions on that, long-term extensions, because you can’t have 30 days,” he said. While Republicans hold majorities in both chambers, at least seven Democratic votes would be needed in the Senate to meet the 60-vote threshold for passage.

The President remarked that he could extend the federal takeover without Congressional approval in the event of a national emergency, but clarified, “I don’t want to call a national emergency. If I have to, I will, but I think the Republicans in Congress will approve this pretty much unanimously.”

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U.S. Military Targets Drug Cartels in Southern Caribbean.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. air and naval forces are deploying to the Southern Caribbean Sea following President Donald J. Trump’s directive targeting Latin American drug cartels as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, the Pentagon, Attorney General Pam Bondi, Mexican President Claudia Sheinbaum, Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The operations are set to take place in the Southern Caribbean Sea, with recent developments over the past week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “To date, the DEA has seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro and his associates, with nearly seven tons linked to Maduro himself.” – Pam Bondi

🎯IMPACT: The deployment aims to combat narco-terrorist organizations and reduce the flow of deadly drugs into the United States.

IN FULL

U.S. air and naval forces are deploying to the Southern Caribbean Sea after President Donald J. Trump ordered the Pentagon to use military force against Latin American drug cartels. Sources familiar with the plan report that, following Trump’s directive, the Defense Department has started deploying troops to counter “threats to U.S. national security from specially designated narco-terrorist organizations in the region.”

President Trump signed an order last week to send U.S. troops to conduct anti-cartel operations abroad, though the specific cartels targeted remain undisclosed. After taking office, Trump designated seven drug cartels and two international criminal gangs as Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), most of which operate primarily in Mexico. However, the reported troop deployment to the South Caribbean Sea suggests a focus on Central and South America.

Venezuela, located along the South Caribbean Sea, has recently drawn the Trump administration’s attention. Shortly after Trump’s inauguration, the State Department designated the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA) and the Cartel de los Soles as FTOs.

Trump has intensified pressure on Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, increasing the bounty on him to $50 million and highlighting his connections to transnational gangs and drug cartels. Attorney General Pam Bondi accused Maduro of collaborating with the Mexican Sinaloa cartel “to bring deadly drugs and violence into our country.” Bondi stated earlier this month, “To date, the DEA has seized 30 tons of cocaine linked to Maduro and his associates, with nearly seven tons linked to Maduro himself.”

Trump has already deployed the military and expanded military zones along the U.S.-Mexico border to address illegal immigration and drug trafficking, with increased aerial surveillance of Mexican cartels to gather intelligence on traffickers smuggling drugs like fentanyl into the U.S.

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Trump Shakes Up Annual Kennedy Center Honors.

President Donald J. Trump shook up the annual Kennedy Center Honors—opting to unveil nominees like Sylvester Stallone and George Strait himself at a live press conference rather than through a press release.

The details: Trump revealed that this year’s 48th annual honorees will include:

  • 💪 Hollywood star Sylvester Stallone
  • 🤠 Legendary country singer George Strait
  • 🎸 Legendary rock band KISS
  • 🎭️ Phantom of the Opera star Michael Crawford
  • 🪩 Iconic disco-era singer Gloria Gaynor [I remember my mom playing her cassettes].

Back up: During the Biden regime, the Kennedy Center hosted a drag show titled “Dragtastic Dress-up” which was aimed at LGBTQ children.

Zoom out: Since taking office, Trump has sought to reform the Kennedy Center. He replaced the entire board, which then elected him as chairman. And he appointed Richard Grenell as its president.

Anti-woke awards: Trump said he turned down some suggested winners for being too “woke” and added: “Look at the Academy Awards. It gets lousy ratings now. It’s all woke. All they do is talk about how much they hate Trump.”

Big picture: The Kennedy Center Honors used to be a big-time event. But in recent years, its prestige and viewership have slipped. Trump appears to be righting the ship.

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President Donald J. Trump shook up the annual Kennedy Center Honors—opting to unveil nominees like Sylvester Stallone and George Strait himself at a live press conference rather than through a press release. show more

Manufacturing Surges Under Trump’s ‘Made in America’ Drive.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Multiple major companies announced billions of dollars in investments to expand U.S.-based manufacturing and create thousands of American jobs.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: AbbVie, Apple, Century Aluminum, Ford, GE Appliances, and President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Announcements made over the past week, boosting U.S. manufacturing plants across multiple states.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Historic trade victories and pro-American policies are bringing factories, jobs, and prosperity back to our country like never before.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: Significant job creation, increased manufacturing capacity, and billions in investments aimed at revitalizing American industry.

IN FULL

The American manufacturing economy is seeing a surge of investment driven by President Donald J. Trump’s tariff and deregulation policies. Over the past several weeks, numerous major companies—including AbbVie, Apple, Century Aluminum, Ford, and GE Appliances—have announced they will either shift production from overseas back to the United States or will expand existing domestic manufacturing facilities.

“Under President Donald J. Trump’s bold leadership and unwavering commitment to putting America First, our nation is witnessing an unprecedented surge in manufacturing investments and job creation,” the Trump White House said in a statement on Wednesday. “Historic trade victories and pro-American policies are bringing factories, jobs, and prosperity back to our country like never before—delivering big wins for hardworking Americans.”

AbbVie announced a $195 million investment to expand its American-based drug production capacity. Apple revealed plans to increase its U.S. investment to $600 billion over the next four years, bringing additional components of its supply chain and advanced manufacturing back home. This move will directly create 20,000 new American jobs and many thousands more across its suppliers.

Century Aluminum announced it will invest $50 million to revive its South Carolina manufacturing plant for the first time in a decade, returning its production to 2015 peak levels. Ford disclosed a $5 billion investment across its Kentucky and Michigan plants to develop a new midsize truck and advanced batteries.

Meanwhile, GE Appliances announced a $3 billion investment in its U.S.-based manufacturing, onshoring 1,000 jobs and expanding its plants across five states.

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Trump Admin Rejects UN Carbon Tax, Threatens Retaliation.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration announced opposition to a United Nations (UN) proposal to impose a tax on the shipping industry to reduce carbon emissions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick, and the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The proposal was approved by a UN committee in April and is set for a vote in October, with potential implementation in 2027.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Whatever its stated goals, the proposed framework is effectively a global carbon tax on Americans levied by an unaccountable UN organization.” – Trump administration statement

🎯IMPACT: The administration argues this proposal will increase costs for American consumers, energy providers, and shipping companies, and threatened retaliation against nations supporting the amendment.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has moved to oppose a United Nations (UN) proposal to impose a carbon emissions tax on the shipping industry, labeling it a “global carbon tax on Americans.” The proposal, known as the “Net-Zero Framework,” was approved by a committee of the UN’s International Maritime Organization (IMO) in April and is set for a vote in October. If implemented, it would go into effect in 2027.

The framework seeks to set new carbon emission standards for ships and introduce a global pricing mechanism for emissions. Ships exceeding the thresholds would face punitive fees, while those within the standards would receive financial incentives. The Trump administration has argued that this plan would raise costs for American consumers and businesses. “These fees will drive up energy and transportation and leisure cruise costs,” the administration’s statement warns.

In a joint statement, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Secretary of Energy Chris Wright, and Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick said the U.S. “unequivocally rejects this proposal” and will not accept any measures that increase costs for American citizens or businesses. The statement also warned that the U.S. would “not hesitate to retaliate or explore remedies” if the proposal is passed.

Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick criticized the framework in a separate statement, saying, “America is setting the terms on how our products are going to market. We have every right to refuse their ‘net-zero framework,’ which would be a tax on every shipment of American goods.” He added, “International bureaucrats can take their [woke] climate nonsense elsewhere.”

The Trump administration’s move to oppose the UN proposal aligns with its broader strategy to reduce foreign influence over American energy policy and deregulate the energy sector. Notably, President Trump withdrew the U.S. from the Paris Climate Accords on his first day in office.

Additionally, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is working to roll back Barack Obama-era climate regulations, which could save American businesses and families an estimated $1 trillion in hidden costs, according to EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin.

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Appeals Court Sides With Trump, Allows Foreign Aid Freeze.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A federal appeals court overturned a lower court ruling that had ordered the Trump administration to continue foreign aid payments.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: A three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, President Donald J. Trump, and his administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The decision was issued on Wednesday morning by the D.C. Circuit Court.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The lower court erred in its decision to mandate the restoration of foreign aid payments,” the court stated.

🎯IMPACT: The ruling allows the Trump administration to halt the foreign aid payments in question, reversing the lower court’s directive.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump scored a major legal victory on Wednesday when a federal appeals court overturned a lower court’s ruling that required his administration to continue foreign aid payments approved by Congress. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, in a 2-1 decision, ruled that the District Court erred in issuing an injunction mandating the State Department restore the foreign assistance payments. Consequently, the lower court’s injunction against the Trump administration has been lifted.

“The district court erred in granting that relief because the grantees lack a cause of action to press their claim,” the three-judge panel’s decision states, continuing: “They may not bring a freestanding constitutional claim if the underlying alleged violation and claimed authority are statutory. Nor do the grantees have a cause of action under the APA because APA review is precluded by the Impoundment Control Act (ICA).”

“And the grantees may not reframe this fundamentally statutory dispute as an ultra vires claim either. Instead, the Comptroller General may bring suit as authorized by the ICA. Accordingly, we vacate the part of the district court’s preliminary injunction involving impoundment,” the ruling adds.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), law professor and legal commentator Jonathan Turley praised the decision. “The D.C. Circuit just handed the Trump Administration another victory in tossing aside the injunction requiring the State Department to make foreign aid payments. It is only the latest district court to be overruled on these injunctions as invasive of Article II authority,” Turley explained.

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Anti-Trump Lunatic Shoots Veteran in Wheelchair.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: An anti-Trump agitator is accused of shooting a wheelchair-bound man in the chest in Seattle, Washington, over an allegation of “stolen valor.” The gunman was previously arrested and charged in 2020 with criminal mischief, a second-degree misdemeanor, after he drove a vehicle into a Republican Party voter registration tent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Suspect Gregory William Timm, the 68-year-old wheelchair bound victim, and Seattle prosecutors.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The shooting took place on July 31, with Timm appearing in court this month.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The only reason this administration was getting away with these atrocious crimes is because we were rolling over and taking it.” — anti-Trump gunman Gregory William Timm

🎯IMPACT: The 68-year-old man, who survived the gunshot, says he was reaching to retrieve his military ID when Timm fired on him. Local news reports indicate the victim does appear to be a veteran.

IN FULL

An anti-Trump agitator is accused of shooting a wheelchair-bound man in the chest in Seattle, Washington, over an allegation of “stolen valor.” Gregory William Timm, 32, claimed the victim was pretending to be a veteran and confronted the 68-year-old wheelchair bound man on the busy Alaskan Way boardwalk on July 31.

Prosecutors allege Timm proceeded to rip a military patch off the victim, resulting in the victim producing a knife and an airsoft gun to defend himself. Subsequently, stepping back several feet, Timm pulled out a handgun and fired a shot into the victim’s chest while demanding to see his ID. The 68-year-old man, who survived the gunshot, says he was reaching to retrieve his military ID when Timm fired on him. Local media reports indicate he is indeed a veteran.

WARNING: GRAPHIC CONTENT


The July 31 shooting is not Timm’s first run-in with the law. In 2020, he was arrested and charged with criminal mischief, a second-degree misdemeanor, after he drove a vehicle into a Republican Party voter registration tent at the Kernan Village Shopping Center in Jacksonville, Florida.

While he initially fled the scene, local police were able to apprehend him, with Timm defending his actions, stating that the attack was his “duty” and that he “did not like President Trump.”

“The only reason this administration was getting away with these atrocious crimes is because we were rolling over and taking it,” Timm later said during a court appearance regarding the vehicle attack. President Trump personally responded to the attack at the time, writing on X (formerly Twitter): “Be careful tough guys who you play with!”

While attorneys for Timm say his actions in Seattle last month were in self-defense, prosecutors have stated, “If you’re the one who’s the first aggressor who provokes an altercation, you lose the right to claim self-defense effectively under state law.” They cite Timm’s action of ripping off the victim’s military patch as having initiated the assault.

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UK Prime Minister: Peace Is Possible in Ukraine Thanks to Trump.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer stated that a “viable” chance for a Ukraine ceasefire exists due to President Donald J. Trump’s efforts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Keir Starmer, Donald Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Russian President Vladimir Putin, and European leaders.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Calls took place ahead of a meeting between Trump and Putin in Alaska on Friday.

💬KEY QUOTE: No 10 Downing Street, the Prime Minister’s official residence, issued a statement on behalf of European leaders thanking President Trump “for his efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end the ongoing bloodshed.”

🎯IMPACT: European leaders have expressed readiness to support a lasting peace in Ukraine.

IN FULL

British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has suggested that a “viable” ceasefire opportunity exists in the Ukraine war, crediting President Donald J. Trump for making this possible. Starmer said his left-wing government was ready to help “increase pressure” on Russia if necessary, aligning with Trump’s moves to begin exposing secondary sanctions on Russia’s trading partners.

Number 10 Downing Street—the British Prime Minister’s official residence—issued a statement on behalf of European leaders thanking President Trump “for his efforts in bringing Putin to the table in pursuit of a ceasefire to end the ongoing bloodshed.”

However, No 10 added that “The Prime Minister was clear that our support for Ukraine is unwavering—international borders must not be changed by force and Ukraine must have robust and credible security guarantees to defend its territorial integrity as part of any deal.”

A peace proposal in which there is no de facto acknowledgement of Russian control over at least part of Ukraine is unlikely to go anywhere, with Crimea, for instance, having been annexed by Moscow over a decade ago, with seemingly no realistic prospect of the Ukrainian military recapturing it.

Speaking after virtual talks with Starmer, Trump, and European leaders, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasized allied unity, describing it as “one voice towards one mission.”

The virtual meeting involved leaders from the U.S., Ukraine, France, Germany, Italy, Poland, Finland, NATO, and the European Union (EU), ahead of a Trump-Putin summit in Alaska. Recent intelligence indicates Russian forces have intensified their offensive in eastern Ukraine in recent days, making their most significant gains in years—perhaps making it less likely that the Kremlin will offer significant concessions.

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