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Saturday, September 20, 2025

Tag: Donald Trump
August 13, 2025
William Upton
Immigration
Lawfare

The E. Jean Carroll Judge Is Back, Telling Trump to Give Illegal Immigrants Better Toilets.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal court ordered President Donald J. Trump’s administration to improve detention conditions for illegal immigrants at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Manhattan.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Trump administration, Bill Clinton-appointed U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan, illegal immigrant plaintiff Sergio Alberto Barco Mercado, and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The order was issued on Tuesday, August 12, 2025, in New York.

💬KEY QUOTE: “They are also being subjected to unsanitary and unsafe conditions, sleeping for days or weeks on a concrete floor with only an aluminum blanket, often with insufficient space to even lie down, often sleeping near the toilets.” — Attorney Heather Gregorio.

🎯IMPACT: Juge Kaplan has given the Trump administration until August 26 to comply, though he also indicated he may move forward with a broader restraining order and injunction against the White House if he certifies a class for class action before then.

IN FULL

A federal court ordered President Donald J. Trump‘s administration to improve detention conditions for illegal immigrants at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Manhattan, New York, late Tuesday. The ruling stems from a lawsuit brought by a Peruvian illegal immigrant who alleges detainees are held in cramped conditions.

The order, issued by U.S. District Court Judge Lewis Kaplan—a Bill Clinton appointee who also presided over the E. Jean Carroll defamation trial against President Donald J. Trump—stipulates that ICE must provide each detainee held overnight with a bedding mat and ensure that toilets are cleaned three times a day. Additionally, Judge Kaplan ordered that ICE must allow detainees to make a private phone call with their attorney within 24 hours of detention and that they be given an information sheet that informs them they can request bottles of water and an extra meal, among other amenities.

Juge Kaplan has given the Trump administration until August 26 to comply, though he also indicated he may move forward with a broader restraining order and injunction against the White House if he certifies a class for class action before then. Notably, the only plaintiff—at the moment—is Sergio Alberto Barco Mercado, an illegal immigrant from Peru, and his main gripe appears to be that between 40 and 90 detainees are forced to share a handful of toilets. Notably, paying airline passengers experience a similar ratio of person-to-toilet access—or worse.

“They are also being subjected to unsanitary and unsafe conditions, sleeping for days or weeks on a concrete floor with only an aluminum blanket, often with insufficient space to even lie down, often sleeping near the toilets,” Barco Mercado’s attorney, Heather Gregorio, complained during the hearing.

The Trump administration argued that ICE follows federal legal standards but conceded that it was working to increase hygiene access for detainees regardless.

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August 12, 2025
Politics
World

Trump State Department Slams South Africa for ‘Extrajudicial Killings’ of White Farmers.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. State Department reported a significant worsening of human rights in South Africa, highlighting extrajudicial killings and repression of the white minority.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. State Department, the South African government, Afrikaners, and South African President Cyril Ramaphosa.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report was released Tuesday, referencing events in South Africa over the last several years.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This act could enable the government to seize ethnic minority Afrikaners’ agricultural property without compensation.” – U.S. State Department Report, referring to legislation authorizing land expropriation without compensation.

🎯IMPACT: The findings raise international scrutiny over South Africa’s government policies and the treatment of Afrikaner farmers.

IN FULL

The U.S. State Department’s annual human rights report has highlighted a significant deterioration in conditions within South Africa, particularly focusing on extrajudicial killings and the repression of racial minorities, including white Afrikaner farmers. The findings were released as part of the 2025 report on Tuesday.

The report cited instances where South African police were involved in shootings resulting in the deaths of suspects. For example, in April, at least 40 criminal suspects were killed in shootouts, and in September, six suspects wanted for homicide and extortion were shot by Durban police. Watchdog groups have pointed to deaths in custody often stemming from abuse, neglect, or lack of medical care.

Additionally, the report highlighted the ongoing violence against Afrikaner farmers, referencing data from Agence France-Presse that recorded 447 murders on farms and smallholdings between October 2023 and September 2024. It criticized the extremist political party Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) for inciting attacks on Afrikaner farmers, including the revival of the controversial song “Kill the Boer [Farmer]” at rallies.

The Expropriation Bill of 2024 was also criticized, as it allows the government to seize land without compensation. The report warned that such measures could disproportionately target Afrikaner farmers, exacerbating violence and dismantling opportunities in employment, education, and business for the ethnic minority.

President Donald J. Trump, who met with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa in May, has been outspoken on the issue, saying that white Afrikaner farmers are being targeted and forced off their land.

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August 12, 2025
Culture
Politics

Smithsonian Begins Review to Replace Woke Ideology With Americanism.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The White House has initiated a comprehensive review of Smithsonian exhibitions to ensure alignment with the President’s directive to celebrate American exceptionalism and remove divisive, woke narratives.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Key signatories include Lindsey Halligan, Vince Haley, and Russell Vought, representing the White House Domestic Policy Council and Office of Management and Budget (OMB).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The directive was communicated via a letter addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, with implementation timelines spanning the next 120 days.

💬KEY QUOTE: “By focusing on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress that define our nation—we can work together to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution.” — Trump White House

🎯IMPACT: The review aims to restore public confidence in the Smithsonian’s role as a trusted institution and align its exhibitions with the values of unity and American progress.

IN FULL

The Trump White House has announced a comprehensive internal review of selected Smithsonian museums and exhibitions, aiming to ensure alignment with Executive Order 14253, titled “Restoring Truth and Sanity to American History.” This directive seeks to celebrate American exceptionalism, remove divisive narratives, and restore confidence in the Smithsonian as a trusted cultural institution.

The letter, addressed to Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III, outlined a detailed plan for the review process. “As we prepare to celebrate the 250th anniversary of our Nation’s founding, it is more important than ever that our national museums reflect the unity, progress, and enduring values that define the American story,” the letter states, emphasizing that the review will focus on public-facing content, curatorial processes, exhibition planning, narrative standards, and the use of collections.

The process will begin with museums submitting requested materials, including exhibition plans, educational content, and internal guidelines, within 30 days. On-site visits and interviews with curators and senior staff will follow, aiming to better understand the goals driving current and future exhibitions. The review will also evaluate 250th Anniversary programming and ensure coordination with the White House Salute to America 250 Task Force.

By the 120-day mark, museums are expected to implement necessary content corrections, replacing divisive or ideologically driven woke language with unifying and historically accurate descriptions. A final report, including museum-specific assessments and recommendations, is expected to be completed by early 2026.

“We view this process as a collaborative and forward-looking opportunity—one that empowers museum staff to embrace a revitalized curatorial vision rooted in the strength, breadth, and achievements of the American story,” the Trump White House letter says, adding: “By focusing on Americanism—the people, principles, and progress that define our nation—we can work together to renew the Smithsonian’s role as the world’s leading museum institution.”

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August 12, 2025
William Upton
Crime

The Arrest Figures Are in for First Night of Trump’s Federalized D.C. Police.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The newly federalized Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made 23 arrests Monday evening, the first night the city’s police force has been under federal government control.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, the MPD, and D.C. criminals.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Arrests were made on the evening of Monday, August 11, 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youths, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people, and we’re not going to let it happen anymore.” — President Trump

🎯IMPACT: Those arrested face charges including homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high-capacity magazine, fleeing, operating a vehicle without a permit, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and reckless driving.

IN FULL

The Trump White House announced that the federalized Washington, D.C. Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) made 23 arrests Monday evening, the first night the city’s police force has been under federal government control. While the average number of daily arrests in the nation’s capital tends to fluctuate significantly, the 23 arrests on Monday evening appear to be on the higher end of the daily average despite occurring over less than a 12-hour period.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, those arrested face charges including: homicide, firearms offenses, possession with intent to distribute narcotics, fare evasion, lewd acts, stalking, possession of a high-capacity magazine, operating a vehicle without a permit, Driving Under the Influence (DUI), and reckless driving. The crime crackdown comes as Washington, D.C., continues to see homicide rates outpace many other major U.S. cities, including New York City. Additionally, residents in the capital have faced a continued spree of carjackings, which have often resulted in the death or injury of the victim.

“Our capital city has been overtaken by violent gangs, bloodthirsty criminals, roving mobs of wild youths, drugged-out maniacs, and homeless people. And we’re not going to let it happen anymore,” President Donald J. Trump declared on Monday morning at a press conference announcing the MPD’s federalization. He added: “Every American has a constitutional right to be able to access and petition their government in safety. And countless government officials and employees, likewise, have the right to carry out their jobs in peace without being shot.”

While the corporate media has attempted to claim that crime is either already falling or is not even a problem in Washington, D.C., the city’s crime statistics have been called into question. For instance, in July, the MPD confirmed that Michael Pulliam, a Washington, D.C. police commander, is under investigation for allegedly doctoring crime statistics.

The investigation began after the Fraternal Order of Police complained that the department was deliberately falsifying crime data.

Image by Ted Eytan.

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August 12, 2025
NatSec

Trump Plans Standing Rapid Reaction Force to Combat Civil Unrest Nationwide.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is considering the creation of a Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force to respond to protests or civil unrest in American cities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, National Guard officials, and the Pentagon are involved in drafting the plan.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The proposal is being discussed as of late July to early August, with the Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force troops potentially stationed in Alabama and Arizona.

🎯IMPACT: The plan is expected to face legal and political challenges from Democratic state leaders.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is exploring the establishment of a Domestic Civil Disturbance Quick Reaction Force, which would involve 600 National Guard troops on standby to address civil unrest in American cities. According to internal Pentagon documents, these troops would be stationed at military bases in Alabama and Arizona, ready to deploy within an hour.

The plan, drafted by National Guard officials between late July and early August, would see troops split between the east and west of the Mississippi River. Previous deployments of National Guard troops, such as earlier this year in Los Angeles, California, to support U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel facing attacks from pro-illegal immigrant rioters, were criticized by Democratic state leaders, including California Governor Gavin Newsom (D). Newsom sued the Trump administration to cancel the deployment, but was soundly defeated in the Ninth Circuit.

The legal framework for rapid response deployments is rooted in Title 10 and Title 32 of the U.S. Code. Title 10 allows the President to direct troops without the need for state governor approval, while Title 32 places National Guard troops under state control but with federal funding. The proposed plan would see troops mobilized under Title 32 during civil unrest, bypassing the need for state-level consent.

The program could be implemented as early as fiscal year 2027, with funding coming from the Pentagon’s annual budget.

On Monday, President Trump announced that he is federalizing the D.C. police and deploying the National Guard to the nation’s capital to combat violent crime. Reports indicate that over 800 National Guard troops will arrive in the city over the coming days.

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August 12, 2025
Immigration

Over 100K Americans Have Applied for Trump’s Nationwide ICE Expansion.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Over 100,000 Americans have applied for roles with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following a recruitment drive launched at the end of July.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: ICE, Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem, Acting ICE Director Todd Lyons, and President Donald J. Trump’s administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Recruitment began at the end of July 2025; applications have been received nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland.” – Kristi Noem

🎯IMPACT: ICE has received over 100,000 applications and is offering incentives such as signing bonuses and student loan benefits amid an unprecedented mass deportation effort.

IN FULL

Over 100,000 Americans have submitted applications for jobs at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) following the launch of a Department of Homeland Security (DHS) hiring campaign in late July. The Trump administration initiative seeks to add 10,000 more ICE personnel amid an unpl, providing various perks and easing some qualification restrictions.

In a statement, DHS Secretary Kristi Noem stressed the significance of the hiring push. “This is a defining moment in our nation’s history. Your skills, your experience, and your courage have never been more essential. Together, we must defend the homeland,” she said. Noem emphasized that ICE agents are responsible for deporting “the worst of the worst criminals” from the nation.

To draw in applicants, ICE is providing sign-on bonuses as high as $50,000, along with programs for repaying or forgiving student loans, and additional perks.

This hiring campaign occurs amid DHS statistics showing an 830 percent surge in attacks against ICE agents, a number that Noem indicated has now climbed to 1,000 percent.

Todd Lyons, the acting ICE Director, has drawn attention to the difficulties ICE agents encounter because of the open border policies of the former Biden-Harris government: “The dedicated men and women of ICE now face unprecedented challenges in removing millions of criminal illegal aliens from our country,” he said.

The ICE hiring portal features various positions such as deportation officer, criminal investigator, and general attorney. It also responds to worries about occupational hazards, noting that agents are “expertly trained” and that all possible measures are implemented to protect them. Every candidate for law enforcement positions will be subject to health evaluations, substance screenings, and fitness tests during recruitment.

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August 12, 2025
NatSec
Politics

Whistleblower: Schiff Leaked Classified Info in Anti-Trump Russia Hoax Effort.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Newly declassified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documents reveal whistleblower allegations that Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA) directed the leaking of classified documents to target President Donald J. Trump and influence public opinion by perpetuating the Russia collusion hoax.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Adam Schiff, President Donald Trump, whistleblowers, and members of the House Intelligence Committee, including Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA).

📍WHEN & WHERE: The allegations stem from events beginning after Trump’s 2016 election victory, with interviews conducted by the FBI in 2017 and documents declassified in August 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: “In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP,” the FBI memo said.

🎯IMPACT: The allegations raise questions about the weaponization of intelligence and law enforcement for political purposes, with Congress now reviewing the declassified documents.

IN FULL

Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA), while serving in the House of Representatives in 2016, directed the leaking of classified documents aimed at fomenting the Russia collusion hoax targeting President Donald J. Trump, according to whistleblower claims in newly declassified Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) documents. Currently being reviewed by Congress, the documents contain testimony from a whistleblower who worked for the Democrat members of the House Intelligence Committee. The whistleblower told the FBI that Schiff initiated the leaking of classified documents in a meeting after Trump’s election in 2016.

The whistleblower claims Schiff’s intention was to use selective leaks of classified documents to drive the Russia collusion narrative and hurt Trump. “In this meeting, SCHIFF stated the group would leak classified information which was derogatory to President of the United States Donald J. TRUMP. SCHIFF stated the information would be used to indict President TRUMP,” the FBI memo said. “[Redacted] stated this would be illegal and, upon hearing his concerns, unnamed members of the meeting reassured [Redacted] that they would not be caught leaking classified information.”

The whistleblower believed that this leaking would be “unethical,” “illegal,” and “treasonous.” The whistleblower was later “approached about leaking classified information in a separate meeting by unnamed individuals,” the FBI memo states.

The interview documents were declassified by FBI Director Kash Patel. “We found it. We declassified it,” Patel posted on X (formerly Twitter), adding: “Now Congress can see how classified info was leaked to shape political narratives—and decide if our institutions were weaponized against the American people.”

Concerningly, the whistleblower told the FBI that Democrats on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence believed that they could end the Trump presidency with selective classified document leaks to the media. “Schiff believed Russia hijacked the election, and the United States was in the middle of a constitutional crisis. Classified information began leaking to the media. The Democratic minority leadership of HPSCI was aware of the leaks but was under the impression that leaking the information was one way to topple the administration and fix the constitutional crisis,” the whistleblower stated.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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August 12, 2025
Culture
News

Trump Pledges Renovations to Bring Kennedy Center Back to ‘Absolute TOP LEVEL of Luxury.’

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump hinted at potential renovations to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts, aiming to restore it to “the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.”

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, President and Executive Director of the Kennedy Center Richard “Ric” Grenell, and lawmakers proposing legislation regarding the center.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Trump made the announcement on Tuesday via Truth Social, with further updates expected Wednesday.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Kennedy Center may see significant renovations and programming changes, with legislative proposals also suggesting renaming parts of the center.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump suggested upgrades to the John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts on Tuesday, expanding on his initiatives to revitalize the White House and other federal properties.

“GREAT Nominees for the TRUMP/KENNEDY CENTER, whoops, I mean, KENNEDY CENTER, AWARDS,” he posted on his Truth Social platform. “They will be announced Wednesday. Tremendous work is being done, and money being spent, on bringing it back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment. It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!

Previously, Trump replaced the center’s board members, personally assuming the role of chairman and appointing Richard “Ric” Grenell, former acting Director of National Intelligence, as president and executive director, to revise its “woke” programming. This earned backlash from some liberal performers, with Broadway star Patti LuPone going so far as to say the center “should be blown up”—but it is already exceeding its revenue goals under Trump’s chairmanship.

Trump’s ambition to overhaul the Kennedy Center aligns with his plans to personally finance a new ballroom at the White House.

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August 12, 2025
Economy

July CPI Comes in at 2.7%, Beating Forecasts Again.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Consumer Price Index (CPI) in July rose 2.7 percent on an annual basis, slightly below economists’ forecast of 2.8 percent.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and economists polled by FactSet.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The CPI data for July 2025 was released on August 12, 2025.

🎯IMPACT: Economists are closely monitoring the effects of inflation and tariffs on consumer prices, with some categories like apparel and home furnishings seeing slight increases.

IN FULL

The Consumer Price Index (CPI) for July 2023 rose by 2.7 percent on an annual basis, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). This figure came in slightly below the 2.8 percent increase forecasted by economists polled by FactSet. On a month-to-month basis, the CPI rose 0.2 percent, aligning with expectations.

Core inflation, which excludes the more volatile food and energy prices, increased by 3.1 percent over the past year, slightly above the 3 percent prediction by economists. Food prices matched the overall inflation rate, rising 2.7 percent annually. Notable increases were seen in items such as eggs (up 16.4 percent), roasted coffee (up 14.8 percent), and ground beef (up 11.5 percent). Gasoline prices, however, dropped by 9.5 percent compared to July 2022.

Economists are also observing the effects of tariffs on consumer prices. Goods from over 60 countries, including the European Union (EU), are now subject to new reciprocal tariffs implemented on August 7, 2025. Categories such as apparel and home furnishings have already shown signs of slight price increases due to these levies.

The CPI, which tracks changes in prices for a basket of goods and services commonly purchased by consumers, remains a key measure of inflation. Notably, the inflation rate has remained at or below three percent for much of the year despite Wall Street fears that tariffs would cause runaway inflation.

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August 12, 2025
Wake Up Right
Immigration

Trump Takes Back Border Wall Materials Biden Tried to Sell Off.

Miles of border wall materials bought in President Donald Trump’s first term—which the Biden regime tried to sell off—have been reclaimed by the Trump administration.

The backstory: In January 2021, Biden halted construction of the southern border wall which had begun under Trump. This left up to $350 million worth of steel panels and bollards stranded.

  • Beginning in June 2024, through December (after Trump won), Biden’s Department of Defense was selling off parts at dirt-cheap prices—including $1-per-panel deals—through an auction company called GovPlanet, which specializes in selling surplus government materials.

Trump reclaims the wall: After negotiations with Trump’s Office of the Border Czar, GovPlanet agreed to return them “at-cost” within the next 90 days.

  • GovPlanet says it agreed to these terms in order to “protect the millions of dollars U.S. taxpayers have already invested” in the border wall.

The numbers: Border crossings have plummeted since Trump returned to office. In July. Customs and Border Protection apprehended 6,177 illegals – an all-time low. None were allowed to enter the U.S.

What happens next? These materials will get put to good use. The recently passed Big, Beautiful Bill earmarked nearly $50 billion for the construction of the border wall.

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Miles of border wall materials bought in President Donald Trump's first term—which the Biden regime tried to sell off—have been reclaimed by the Trump administration. show more