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Thursday, September 18, 2025

Tag: Donald Trump
June 30, 2025
Jack Montgomery
News

One of Zohran Mamdani’s Spiritual Leaders Just Issued a Fatwa Against Trump.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: A senior Iranian cleric, Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, issued a fatwa declaring anyone who threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader, Grand Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, an “enemy of God” in a de facto call to assassinate U.S. President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi, Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The fatwa was reported by Iran’s Mehr News Agency amid ongoing tensions following a 12-day conflict between Israel and Iran.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Any person or regime that threatens the Leader or Marja (May God forbid) is considered an enemy of God.” – Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi.

🎯IMPACT: The fatwa could escalate tensions between Iran and the U.S., with Shirazi, 98, potentially becoming subject to a targeted strike himself.

IN FULL

Grand Ayatollah Naser Makarem Shirazi has issued a fatwa declaring that anyone who threatens Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei a “Muharib,” i.e. “an enemy of God” and his messengers, according to state media reports. The fatwa specifically named U.S. President Donald J. Trump and Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Israel Katz, in response to their recent statements during heightened tensions. Notably, a “Muharib” is subject to the death penalty.

Shirazi, a senior leader in Democratic New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani’s sect of Shia Islam, issued the fatwa in response to an Estefta (formal query). Iran’s Mehr News Agency reported that Shirazi, who helped to draft Iran’s constitution following the Islamic Revolution, called on Muslims worldwide “to make these enemies regret their words and mistakes.” The 98-year-old cleric emphasized that supporting such “enemies” is considered “haram” (forbidden) under Islamic law.

The declaration follows a 12-day war between Israel and Iran, during which President Trump said he knew Khamenei’s location and described him as an “easy target.” The fatwa comes despite Trump having stressed that he personally intervened to save Khamenei from an “ugly and ignominious death” at the hands of the Israeli military.

Khosro K. Isfahani, a senior research analyst at the National Union for Democracy in Iran, commented on X, formerly Twitter, that the fatwa is significant for having “directly named Trump.” He highlighted its similarity to previous fatwas that have resulted in violent outcomes.

Image via Tasnim News Agency.

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June 27, 2025
Lawfare
Politics

Rogue Judge Faces Impeachment After Blocking Trump’s National Guard Order.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A Republican lawmaker has filed impeachment articles against a federal judge who temporarily blocked President Donald J. Trump’s control of the National Guard in California during pro-illegal immigrant riots in Los Angeles.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL), U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer, President Donald J. Trump, and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D).

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The resolution was filed on Friday, June 27, 2025, following riots in Los Angeles earlier this month.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “The goal is to get judges to do their jobs. If we’re not going to try to hold accountable the ones that aren’t, then they have no incentive to stop,” said Rep. Fine.

🎯IMPACT: The resolution highlights GOP frustration with repeated judicial interference in Trump’s executive actions.

IN FULL

Rep. Randy Fine (R-FL) has filed a resolution to impeach U.S. District Court Judge Charles Breyer for temporarily blocking President Donald J. Trump’s federalization of the California National Guard during riots in Los Angeles. Fine criticized the judge’s decision as “political.”

The riots in Los Angeles were sparked by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) raids in Hispanic and Latino neighborhoods, where activists clashed with law enforcement and burned cars in protest. Trump bypassed California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) to deploy the National Guard, citing inadequate action by state officials to protect federal law enforcement and restore order.

Judge Breyer’s temporary order earlier this month ruled that Trump’s actions exceeded his statutory authority and violated the Tenth Amendment. “His actions were illegal—both exceeding the scope of his statutory authority and violating the Tenth Amendment to the United States Constitution,” the court opinion stated. Breyer ordered control of the National Guard to be returned to California.

However, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals overturned Breyer’s ruling last week, affirming that Trump was within his authority to federalize the National Guard. Breyer’s decision has drawn scrutiny from House Republicans, who have increasingly voiced frustration over judicial interference in Trump’s executive actions.

Fine acknowledged the long odds of removing Breyer but defended the impeachment resolution as a necessary step. “I think it’s worth doing. I don’t know that we can pass it, I don’t know that the Senate would remove him from office, but I think failing to avail ourselves of the remedies that the framers intended was a mistake,” he said.

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June 27, 2025
William Upton
Breaking

BREAKING: Trump Terminates Trade Talks With Canada.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has broken off trade talks with Canada after America’s northern neighbor announced it would implement a digital services tax on U.S. technology companies.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Canada, the United States, and U.S. technology companies.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Announced Friday, June 27, 2025, on Trump’s Truth Social platform.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with, including the fact that they have charged our Farmers as much as 400% Tariffs, for years, on Dairy Products, has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country,” President Trump wrote.

🎯IMPACT: President Trump indicated the U.S. would retaliate against the Canadian tax on U.S. technology companies by imposing a new round of tariffs on Canadian businesses.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump announced on Friday that the United States is ending all trade negotiations with Canada “effective immediately” after the country announced it would impose a digital services tax on American technology companies. The United States and Canada had been engaged in protracted trade talks for weeks, with the negotiations being frustrated by the steep tariffs America’s northern neighbor imposes on U.S. farmers.

“We have just been informed that Canada, a very difficult Country to TRADE with, including the fact that they have charged our Farmers as much as 400% Tariffs, for years, on Dairy Products, has just announced that they are putting a Digital Services Tax on our American Technology Companies, which is a direct and blatant attack on our Country,” President Trump wrote in a post on Truth Social. He continued: “They are obviously copying the European Union, which has done the same thing, and is currently under discussion with us, also. Based on this egregious Tax, we are hereby terminating ALL discussions on Trade with Canada, effective immediately.”

“We will let Canada know the Tariff that they will be paying to do business with the United States of America within the next seven day period. Thank you for your attention to this matter!” Trump added.

In recent weeks, the Trump White House has made significant progress in bilateral trade negotiations with a number of countries. After announcing a global 10 percent tariff in April, the United States has struck trade agreements with both the United Kingdom and China. Additional talks with key trade partners like India and Japan remain ongoing, and agreements with both nations appear imminent.

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June 27, 2025
William Upton
Breaking

BREAKING: SCOTUS Limits Lawfare Against Trump, Stays Birthright Citizenship Injunction.

The United States Supreme Court has put an end, in part, to the use of nationwide injunctions from federal courts limiting the executive branch. On Friday, the high court—considering a combination of three cases—granted the Trump administration’s request to partially stay the injunctions, stating that the orders “are broader than necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff with standing to sue.”

Writing for the six-judge majority, Justice Amy Coney Barrett argued, “[F]ederal courts do not exercise general oversight of the Executive Branch; they resolve cases and controversies consistent with the authority Congress has given them. When a court concludes that the Executive Branch has acted unlawfully, the answer is not for the court to exceed its power, too.”

This ruling marks a significant victory for President Donald J. Trump, as lower federal courts will now only be allowed to grant injunctive relief in their respective jurisdictions and cannot issue blanket nationwide blocks against executive branch directives.  Notably, the ruling also signals the potential likelihood that the Trump White House will succeed on the merits of the three cases used to win the stay order. Critically, one of the cases involves President Trump’s Executive Order ending birthright citizenship.

While the decision largely curtails nationwide injunctions, there remains—as noted by Justice Samuel Alito—a modicum of ‘wiggle room’ for lower courts to issue injunctions beyond their jurisdiction.

Image by Billy Wilson.

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The United States Supreme Court has put an end, in part, to the use of nationwide injunctions from federal courts limiting the executive branch. On Friday, the high court—considering a combination of three cases—granted the Trump administration's request to partially stay the injunctions, stating that the orders "are broader than necessary to provide complete relief to each plaintiff with standing to sue." show more
June 26, 2025
Crime
Immigration

Trump Is Launching a Visa Crackdown on Fentanyl Traffickers’ Families.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced new sanctions aimed at combating the flow of fentanyl into the United States.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of State Marco Rubio, State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott, U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, and law enforcement agencies.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: Announced Thursday, June 26, 2025, with actions spanning across the United States and its borders.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Today’s action expands upon existing tools… to deter and dismantle the flow of fentanyl and other illicit drugs from entering the United States and harming U.S. citizens.” – Marco Rubio.

🎯IMPACT: The sanctions aim to disrupt drug trafficking networks, reduce fentanyl-related deaths, and bolster national security.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump’s Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, announced new sanctions on Thursday targeting the flow of fentanyl into the United States. The policy includes visa restrictions on family members and close associates of foreign drug traffickers. Rubio described the measures as “necessary” to “deter and dismantle” the deadly drug trade.

State Department spokesman Tommy Piggott explained that the sanctions “will not only prevent them from entering the United States, but also serve as a deterrent for continued illicit activities.” Rubio emphasized the urgency of addressing the fentanyl crisis, noting that overdoses remain the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 44.

“More than 40 percent of Americans reportedly know someone who has died from an opioid overdose,” Rubio stated, adding that the U.S. averages over 220 overdose deaths daily. The CDC reported that fentanyl was linked to 48,422 deaths in 2024 alone.

Attorney General Pam Bondi highlighted a major fentanyl bust earlier this year, where authorities seized over 400 kilos of fentanyl and arrested 16 individuals, including six illegal immigrants. Bondi described fentanyl as a weapon of “mass destruction” and issued a stern warning to traffickers, stating, “When we catch you… we will put you behind bars for as long as humanly possible.”

The new sanctions and law enforcement efforts build on President Donald J. Trump’s initiatives to combat fentanyl trafficking through increased border security and targeting cartels as foreign terrorist organizations (FTOs). According to the Center for Immigration Studies, fentanyl seizures at the southern border have dropped significantly, signaling a potential decline in smuggling activities.

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June 26, 2025
World

This Is Trump’s Plan to End the War in Gaza and Bring Peace to the Middle East:

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. President Donald J. Trump is working on a comprehensive Middle East peace plan, with an immediate focus on ending Israel’s war in Gaza within two weeks.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and leaders from Egypt, the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Saudi Arabia, Syria, and other Arab nations.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The plan is being developed following the recent 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, with discussions ongoing in the United States and Israel.

🎯IMPACT: The plan aims to end Gaza hostilities, exile Hamas leadership, expand the Abraham Accords, and lay the groundwork for broader Middle East peace.

IN FULL

U.S. President Donald J. Trump is spearheading a peace initiative in the Middle East with the support of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, beginning with an end to Israel’s war in Gaza within two weeks. The plan reportedly includes multiple components aimed at stabilizing the region and fostering diplomatic relations between the Arab states and the Jewish state of Israel.

According to the Israeli newspaper, Israel Hayom, the proposal involves four Arab nations, including Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (UAE), stepping in to administer the Gaza Strip in place of Hamas. The remaining Hamas leadership would face exile, and Israeli hostages currently held would be freed. Additionally, efforts would be made to facilitate emigration for Gaza residents seeking to leave the region.

The peace plan also includes expanding the Abraham Accords to bring countries such as Syria and Saudi Arabia into formal relations with Israel. Israel would express openness to resolving Palestinian issues under a “two states” framework, contingent upon reforms by the Palestinian Authority. The United States, in turn, would recognize limited Israeli sovereignty in Judea and Samaria, in the West Bank.

This initiative follows the 12-Day War between Israel and Iran, during which U.S. forces targeted Iranian nuclear weapons sites. With Iran’s threat diminished, Israel and Arab states now appear more willing to make concessions for peace and normalize relations.

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June 26, 2025
NatSec

Trump Is Restricting Classified Intel to Congress Following Iran Leak.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump plans to limit sending classified information to Congress following a leak of an early intelligence assessment on the Iran bombing damage.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, the Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA), and Congressional Democrats.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: The leaked DIA report surfaced late Monday, with media reports following on Tuesday. Trump spoke on Wednesday in the Netherlands.

đź’¬KEY QUOTE: “Several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years,” stated Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) director John Ratcliffe.

🎯IMPACT: The administration plans to restrict classified information sharing on CAPNET, citing concerns over leaks.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump intends to limit the sharing of classified information with Congress after an early Defense Intelligence Agency (DIA) assessment on the Iran bombing damage was leaked. The “low-confidence” report, shared on CAPNET—a system used by Congress to access classified information—late Monday, suggested that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday had only set back Iran’s nuclear program by a few months. It also suggested that much of Iran’s enriched uranium had been moved before the strikes.

Notably, CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, a journalist notorious for laundering stories for partisan actors within the intelligence community and a key figure in the Hunter Biden laptop coverup and Russiagate hoax, reported a portion of the assessment on Tuesday.

On Wednesday, President Trump dismissed the leaked intelligence as “very inconclusive” while speaking in The Hague alongside NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also addressed the leaked report, calling it “preliminary” and “low-confidence,” adding, “This is a political motive here.” The Defense Secretary stated that the Pentagon has initiated a criminal investigation into the leaked top-secret report.

Consequently, the administration plans to restrict postings on CAPNET. “Go figure: Almost as soon as we put the information on CAPNET, it leaks,” an administration source stated. “There’s no reason to do this again.”

Despite the preliminary DIA assessment, more thorough reports from the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) and Israeli intelligence indicate that Iran’s nuclear sites suffered extensive damage. “Several key Iranian nuclear facilities were destroyed and would have to be rebuilt over the course of years,” stated CIA director John Ratcliffe. This assessment is backed by additional analysis from the United Nations’ International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

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June 26, 2025
Wake Up Right
Media
War

Trump Slams CNN and NYT Reporting on Iran Bombing as Fake News.

President Donald Trump and his team are slamming CNN and The New York Times for reporting that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities only caused minor delays—not destruction.

The details: CNN and NYT published reports based on anonymous sources inside the Trump administration, which claimed a Defense Intelligence Agency assessment found the bombings only set Iran’s program back “only a few months.”

  • The outlets did caveat that their reports were based on “early findings” and “could change.”
  • The New York Times exposed its bias by framing the story as one that “Upends Victory Lap Trump Was Hoping for.”

The Trump administration responds:

  • President Trump said: “[T]hey’re both, disgusting, disgusting, really horrible groups of people. The pilots did an unbelievable job like nobody’s ever seen. They hit pay dirt.”
  • Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the leak was “flat-out wrong” and came from a “low-level loser.” She added: “Everyone knows what happens when you drop 14 30,000-pound bombs perfectly on their targets: total obliteration.”
  • Secretary of State Marco Rubio said: “This is what a leaker is telling you the intelligence says… They characterize it for you in a way that is absolutely false.”
  • Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said: “Then the instinct of CNN and New York Times is to try to find a way to spin it for their own political reasons.”

Zoom out: It’s worth noting that this leak from the Pentagon went to CNN’s Natasha Bertrand, who also famously reported that the Hunter Biden laptop was “Russian disinformation.”

How about a neutral source? The UN’s nuclear watchdog, the International Atomic Energy Agency, said satellite images from Fordow and Natanz facilities revealed more damage than originally thought, including possible chemical contamination from the nuclear material.

How about a source in the region? According to the CIA, citing a “historically reliable” source, the nuclear program was “severely damaged” and “would have to be rebuilt over the course of years.”

The last word goes to goes to Iran itself, whose Foreign Ministry spokesman admitted to Al Jazeera news that “our nuclear installations have been badly damaged” by the U.S. strikes.

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President Donald Trump and his team are slamming CNN and The New York Times for reporting that U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities only caused minor delays—not destruction. show more
June 25, 2025
Immigration

ICE Has Detained a Record-Breaking Number of Illegals Under Trump.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: Illegal immigration detention numbers under the Trump administration have reached record levels, with over 56,000 migrants currently detained.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Trump administration figures, including United States Homeland Security Advisor Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, have spearheaded the expansion of immigration enforcement efforts.

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: As of June 2025, detention numbers have surpassed prior records, with enforcement operations occurring nationwide.

🎯IMPACT: The detention surge has strained ICE’s budget, with the agency reportedly $1 billion over its annual allocation. However, Congressional Republicans are working to boost immigration enforcement funding through President Donald J. Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill.”

IN FULL

Illegal immigration detention numbers in the United States have reached historic levels under President Donald J. Trump, with at least 56,000 migrants currently in custody. However, federal government data suggests the number could be as high as 59,000, significantly exceeding the agency’s capacity and surpassing previous records.

The administration has implemented aggressive enforcement tactics, including declaring an invasion by foreign gang members and invoking emergency powers to expedite deportations. The temporary protected status (TPS) abused by the Biden government to admit over 800,000 immigrants from countries like Cuba, Haiti, and Venezuela has been revoked, clearing the way for the deportation of even more illegal immigrants.

Stephen Miller, White House deputy chief of staff for policy, has pushed for an increase in daily arrests, aiming for 3,000 per day. Federal resources, including law enforcement agencies like the FBI and DEA, have been redirected to support immigration enforcement. Additionally, partnerships with local police departments have further bolstered these efforts.

However, ICE faces significant budgetary challenges, with reports suggesting the agency is $1 billion over its annual allocation and could run out of funds in the coming months. To meet the costs, President Trump and Congressional Republicans are looking to boost resources for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and ICE through provisions in reconciliation legislation—known as the “One Big Beautiful Bill”—which will likely be taken up by the U.S. Senate later this week.

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June 25, 2025
Jack Montgomery
NatSec
News

‘Daddy’ Trump Scores ‘Monumental Win’ Over NATO — But One Member Faces Trade Sanctions.

PULSE POINTS

âť“WHAT HAPPENED: NATO leaders agreed to raise annual defense spending to 5% of GDP, following pressure from President Donald J. Trump, who also warned Spain of trade consequences for non-compliance.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte, NATO member nations, and the Spanish government

đź“ŤWHEN & WHERE: June 26, 2025, NATO summit in The Hague, Netherlands

💬KEY QUOTE: “This would not have happened if you would not have been elected in 2016 and re-elected last year… so I want to thank you.” – Mark Rutte

🎯IMPACT: The agreement marks a seismic policy shift within NATO, realigns financial responsibility, and reaffirms Trump’s influence over transatlantic defense policy.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump on Wednesday celebrated a major policy breakthrough as NATO allies agreed to boost their defense spending to five percent of GDP annually—a goal Trump has pushed since his first election in 2016. “It’s a monumental win for the United States, because we were carrying much more than our fair share,” Trump told reporters after the summit concluded in The Hague.

Speaking alongside Trump, NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte acknowledged the American First leader’s role in driving the agreement, acknowledging: “This would not have happened if you would not have been elected in 2016 and re-elected last year… so I want to thank you.” Rutte emphasized the need to “equalise with the United States” and keep Europe safe in the face of growing threats.

In a moment that quickly went viral, Rutte also defended Trump’s sharp rhetoric towards Israel and Iran over ceasefire violations, joking, “Daddy has to use tough language.” The President had chastised both nations for continuing to fight while the ceasefire was pending and shortly after it was supposed to come into force, telling reporters that their governments “don’t know what the f**k they’re doing.”

Socialist-led Spain has proved to be a wrinkle in the defense spending pledge, insisting on an opt-out. Trump has warned they will face punishment for this, saying, “They want a little bit of a free ride, but they’ll have to pay it back to us on trade, because I’m not going to let that happen. It’s unfair.”

This could lead to friction with the European Union (EU), as EU members—including Spain—must follow a common policy on external commerce and, potentially dragging the entire bloc into a Spanish-American trade clash.

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