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June 13, 2025
Politics

Coinbase Hires Ex-Obama, Harris Adviser to Expand Political Influence.

PULSE POINTS:

❓What Happened: A senior adviser to Kamala Harris’s presidential campaign, David Plouffe, has joined Coinbase’s global advisory council.

👥 Who’s Involved: David Plouffe, Chris LaCivita, Kyrsten Sinema, and Faryar Shirzad are among those involved, alongside other political figures from both parties.

📍 Where & When: Coinbase’s global advisory council, ongoing legislative developments in Congress, Washington, D.C., 2025.

💬 Key Quote: Coinbase’s Faryar Shirzad described the advisers’ role as a “sound board” for policy and strategy discussions.

⚠️ Impact: Cryptocurrency legislation is advancing rapidly in Congress, with bipartisan support for measures regulating stablecoins and broader market structures.

IN FULL:

David Plouffe, a senior adviser to Kamala Harris’s failed 2024 presidential campaign and a prominent Democratic strategist, has joined Coinbase’s global advisory council. The council, formed by the cryptocurrency exchange, includes several high-profile figures from both major political parties, such as Chris LaCivita, a former co-campaign manager for President Donald J. Trump’s 2024 presidential campaign, and former U.S. Senator Kyrsten Sinema (I-AZ).

Plouffe, widely recognized for his role in Barack Obama’s 2008 campaign, previously served on the global advisory board of Binance, the world’s largest cryptocurrency exchange. His addition to Coinbase’s council comes as the cryptocurrency industry intensifies its efforts to influence the regulatory landscape in Washington.

Coinbase Chief Policy Officer Faryar Shirzad explained the purpose of the advisory council, stating it serves as a “sound board” for discussing policy initiatives and business strategies. This development reflects the growing political involvement of the cryptocurrency sector as Congress moves to address digital asset regulation.

On Capitol Hill, lawmakers are advancing legislation aimed at creating a comprehensive regulatory framework for cryptocurrencies. A bipartisan group in the House recently approved a bill regulating stablecoins—digital currencies typically tied to the U.S. dollar. The legislation is expected to proceed to the Senate as early as next week. Meanwhile, broader measures addressing the structure of cryptocurrency markets are under review in House committees.

The legislative push coincides with President Donald J. Trump’s commitment to establishing the United States as a global cryptocurrency hub. Trump and his family have been expanding their interests in the sector, including investments in Bitcoin, the creation of a stablecoin, and the promotion of a Trump-themed cryptocurrency.

Chris LaCivita, who joined Coinbase’s advisory council in January, played a key role in Trump’s 2024 presidential election victory.

By Popular Demand.
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41 minutes ago
News

Foreign Tourists Will Now Pay More than Americans to Visit National Parks.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The National Park Service announced new pricing for its annual pass, increasing costs for foreign visitors while keeping prices the same for Americans.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The U.S. Department of the Interior, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum, and the wider Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The pricing changes take effect January 1, 2026, and apply to all U.S. national parks.

💬KEY QUOTE: “President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first.” – Doug Burgum

🎯IMPACT: Revenue from new fees will fund maintenance, visitor facility upgrades, and improved services at national parks.

IN FULL

The U.S. Department of the Interior has announced changes to the pricing of the America the Beautiful annual pass, which allows access to national parks across the country. Starting January 1, 2026, foreign visitors will pay $250 for the digital annual pass, while the price for U.S. citizens remains at $80. This change is tied to a July Executive Order by President Donald J. Trump aimed at increasing revenue and improving the recreational experience at national parks.

In a statement, Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum said, “President Trump’s leadership always puts American families first. These policies ensure that U.S. taxpayers, who already support the National Park System, continue to enjoy affordable access, while international visitors contribute their fair share to maintaining and improving our parks for future generations.”

Foreign visitors without an annual pass will also face an additional $100 fee per person to access the 11 most-visited parks, including Yellowstone, Yosemite, and the Grand Canyon. At parks charging vehicle admission fees, the new pass will now cover up to two motorcycles, an increase from one, while the policy for other vehicles remains unchanged at one per pass. Revenue generated from these changes will be reinvested into essential maintenance, visitor facility upgrades, and improved services nationwide.

The announcement also introduced other digital passes, including benefits for military families, seniors, and children. Veterans and Gold Star families are eligible for free lifetime passes, while active military members and their families can purchase annual passes for $20. Seniors aged 62 and older can choose between a $20 annual pass or an $80 lifetime pass. Additionally, all American fourth graders will have free access to national parks through August 2026.

The passes will be available for purchase on Recreation.gov starting in the new year, with digital access provided through the website, mobile app, or mobile wallet. Physical passes will still be available for purchase and delivery. In 2026, there will also be eight days when entry to all national parks is free for Americans, starting with Presidents’ Day on February 16. Other dates include Memorial Day, Flag Day, and Veterans Day, among others.

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By Popular Demand.
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1 hour ago
News

Trump Considering Direct Talks With Maduro—Or Military Action.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited the Dominican Republic to discuss combating drug trafficking, while President Donald J. Trump signaled openness to direct talks with Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, President Donald Trump, Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Dominican officials, and U.S. military personnel.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Hegseth’s visit occurred on Wednesday in the Dominican Republic, amid U.S. military operations in the Caribbean.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The U.S. government could cause an incalculable number of deaths and create a scenario of violence and instability in the hemisphere that would be unimaginable.” – Cuban Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez

🎯IMPACT: The U.S. is balancing diplomacy and military pressure to address drug trafficking and regional stability, with potential talks between Trump and Maduro marking a pivotal moment.

IN FULL

U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth visited the Dominican Republic on Wednesday to hold discussions with local officials on combating drug trafficking. This comes as tensions between the Trump administration and Venezuela remain elevated.

Despite the massive U.S naval buildup in the Caribbean, President Donald J. Trump has indicated his willingness to speak directly with Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro. Maduro has also expressed openness to dialogue, presenting a possible diplomatic solution—though military strikes against the regime still appear likely.

The U.S. has intensified its efforts to curb drug trafficking from Venezuela, with military operations targeting vessels used to smuggle narcotics. These actions have reportedly resulted in at least 83 deaths. Additionally, the U.S. State Department designated the Cartel de los Soles, a network of Venezuelan officials allegedly involved in drug trafficking, as a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). This designation grants the U.S. expanded legal authority to target people linked to the network, including Maduro, who is accused of heading the cartel.

Maduro, facing mounting U.S. pressure, has signaled a willingness to negotiate, and potentially offer crude oil shipments as a form of leverage. Most of Venezuela’s oil currently flows to China, but it could play a key role in any future discussions with Washington. Reports suggest that a direct call between Trump and Maduro is “in the planning stages,” though no date has been set. The call would follow weeks of U.S. maritime operations, including Operation Southern Spear, aimed at intercepting drug shipments.

Hegseth’s visit to Santo Domingo included meetings with Dominican President Luis Abinader and Defense Minister Carlos Antonio Fernández Onofre. This trip highlights the regional dimension of the U.S. strategy, which also saw Joint Chiefs Chairman General Dan Caine recently visit Trinidad and Tobago to discuss transnational criminal threats. Cuba, however, has criticized the U.S. approach, with Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez warning that “the U.S. government could cause an incalculable number of deaths and create a scenario of violence and instability in the hemisphere that would be unimaginable.”

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2 hours ago
William Upton
Breaking
Lawfare

BREAKING: Prosecutor Drops Fani Willis RICO Case Against Trump.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A state prosecutor has moved to drop the racketeering case against President Donald J. Trump and his allies related to alleged efforts to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Donald Trump, Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark, John Eastman, Fani Willis, and Peter Skandalakis, among others.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Georgia, with the case dismissed on Wednesday following a filing by Peter Skandalakis.

💬KEY QUOTE: Skandalakis stated that the alleged conduct was “federal, not state, charges” in his filing to drop the case.

🎯IMPACT: This decision likely marks the end of a historic series of criminal cases against Donald Trump in Georgia.

IN FULL

A Georgia prosecutor has moved to dismiss the racketeering case against President Donald J. Trump and his allies, which accused them of attempting to overturn Georgia’s 2020 election results. The case, originally brought by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, alleged a “criminal enterprise” involving a “fake elector” scheme, intimidation of election workers, and efforts to “find” votes needed for Trump to win the state.

Trump and over a dozen co-defendants, including Mark Meadows, Rudy Giuliani, Jeffrey Clark, and John Eastman, were charged under Georgia’s RICO Act. The charges stemmed from alleged efforts to subvert the election results, with some defendants, such as attorneys Kenneth Chesebro, Jenna Ellis, and Sidney Powell, pleading guilty to certain charges in 2023 as part of plea deals.

However, Willis’s case faced significant complications, including allegations of conflicts of interest involving Willis and Nathan Wade, a special prosecutor with whom she was once romantically involved. Following court battles over these allegations, a state appellate court removed Willis from the case. This decision, coupled with Wade’s resignation, led to Peter Skandalakis, director of the Prosecuting Attorney’s Council of Georgia, assigning himself the case.

In his filing on Wednesday, Skandalakis argued that the alleged conduct fell under federal rather than state jurisdiction, prompting his decision to drop the charges. This development effectively ends the prosecution against Trump and his co-defendants in Georgia.

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By Popular Demand.
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3 hours ago
News

Mamdani Taps the Far Left’s Favorite Terror Lawyer to Transition Team.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Ramzi Kassem, a City University of New York (CUNY) law professor and former Biden White House Senior Policy Advisor, has been named to the Transition Committee on Legal Affairs by New York City Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani. Kassem has ties to radical activist groups and has made controversial remarks about 9/11.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Ramzi Kassem, Zohran Mamdani, activist group Within Our Lifetime (WOL), and figures tied to CAIR and police abolition movements.

📍WHEN & WHERE: New York City; recent announcements surrounding Mamdani’s transition team and related events.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The legacy of 9/11 ought to be recounted primarily through the stories of Muslims.” – Ramzi Kassem

🎯IMPACT: The inclusion of individuals with ties to radical groups raises concerns about the direction of Mamdani’s administration and its policies.

IN FULL

New York City’s socialist Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani (D) has announced his Transition Committee on Legal Affairs, which includes Ramzi Kassem, a City University of New York (CUNY) law professor and former Biden White House Senior Policy Advisor. Kassem is known for his founding of CLEAR (Creating Law Enforcement Accountability & Responsibility)—a CUNY legal project that focuses on providing legal representation to Muslims accused by the federal government of ties to terrorism. Notably, CLEAR provided legal representation to radical pro-Hamas activist Mahmoud Khalil.

Concerningly, Kassem has participated in events with the pro-Hamas group Within Our Lifetime (WOL), where he provided guidance on avoiding legal risks during protests. At one such event, he emphasized the vulnerabilities faced by non-citizen demonstrators and outlined strategies for avoiding identification and arrest. WOL has distributed a toolkit for organizing protests, which includes propaganda templates and slogans such as “Globalize the Intifada,” criticized by many as incitements to violence and genocide.

In past remarks, Kassem controversially stated that the September 11 attacks reflected “the resentment these terrorists felt” and argued that “the legacy of 9/11 ought to be recounted primarily through the stories of Muslims.” He has also been honored by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a group linked to allegations of ties to terror-related investigations, and was a recipient of the Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans in Legal Studies. Last week, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) designated the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations.

Mamdani’s transition team also includes other controversial figures, such as Alex S. Vitale, a police-abolition theorist, and Tamika Mallory, a former Women’s March leader accused of anti-Semitism and financial mismanagement.

Image by Eden, Janine, and Jim.

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3 hours ago
News

Blizzards, Wind, Rain, and Winter Storms Set to Cause Travel Chaos for Thanksgiving.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Severe winter weather and strong winds are sweeping across the U.S., affecting Thanksgiving travel plans for millions.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Millions of travelers, American Airlines, and other airlines preparing for record travel numbers.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Wednesday through Saturday, across the Upper Midwest, Great Lakes region, Appalachians, and other areas of the U.S.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Weather’s coming. Execute the plan. Get customers back on track.” – Mark Ewing, American Airlines Customer Service Director

🎯IMPACT: Travel disruptions, flight delays, and hazardous road conditions are affecting millions during one of the busiest travel periods of the year.

IN FULL

Freezing temperatures and winter weather, along with strong winds, are expected to impact large parts of the U.S. as an estimated one-in-five Americans travel for Thanksgiving. The Upper Midwest could see up to two feet of snow, while 52 million people are under wind alerts stretching from the Plains to the Great Lakes and into the Appalachians. Wind gusts could reach up to 60 mph in affected areas, including major cities like Chicago and Detroit.

Blizzard warnings are in effect for parts of northern Wisconsin and Michigan‘s Upper Peninsula. In areas east of Lakes Erie and Ontario, lake-effect snow warnings are in place, with snowfall rates of up to 2 inches per hour and wind gusts above 30 mph making travel nearly impossible. Up to 3 feet of snow is possible in northern Wisconsin and Michigan, while areas downwind of lakes Erie and Ontario could see up to 20 inches of snow.

The Pacific Northwest is also experiencing wet and snowy weather, while showers and storms are affecting cities along the Interstate 95 corridor. In New York City, wind gusts of up to 35 mph could cause balloons in the Macy’s Thanksgiving Parade to fly lower than usual. Early travel disruptions include semi-trucks rolling off roads in Minnesota and icy conditions causing vehicles to slide in North Dakota.

Flight delays are also climbing, with over 630 flights within the U.S. delayed as of early Wednesday, according to FlightAware. Tuesday saw significant disruptions, including an air traffic control tower evacuation in Atlanta due to tornado concerns. American Airlines, which has been preparing for months, expects Wednesday to be its busiest travel day, with 81,000 flights scheduled over the Thanksgiving weekend. “Weather’s coming. Execute the plan. Get customers back on track,” said Mark Ewing, the airline’s customer service director.

Image by Sayamindu Dasgupta.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
Economy

Jobless Claims Hit Seven-Month Low.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: The number of Americans filing for jobless benefits for the first time dropped to 216,000 last week, marking the lowest level since April.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: American workers and the U.S. Department of Labor, which tracks jobless claims data.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The report was released last week and reflects national data following the recent resolution of the Senate Democrats-caused government shutdown.

🎯IMPACT: While initial claims have dropped, continuing jobless claims remain above 1.9 million, near their highest level since November 2021, raising questions about the broader labor market.

IN FULL

The latest data from the U.S. Department of Labor reveals that initial jobless claims fell to 216,000 last week, the lowest level since April. This comes after the resolution of the recent Senate Democrats-caused government shutdown, which had temporarily disrupted economic reporting.

Notably, jobless claims among workers in the “Deep Tristate” region—Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia—have significantly decreased since the shutdown ended. However, the broader labor market remains soft as continuing claims—those filed by individuals who have already received unemployment benefits—remain above 1.9 million.

This level of continuing claims is near its highest point since November 2021, suggesting that while fewer Americans are filing for benefits for the first time, many remain dependent on unemployment assistance. The data raises questions about the overall strength of the labor market and its recovery trajectory.

The National Pulse reported on Tuesday that core producer prices had edged up slightly. However, broader inflationary pressure remains under control. The jump appears mostly the result of increasing energy costs.

American retailers, surprisingly, also reported a slight increase in sales, suggesting consumer strength continues to be strong even if consumer confidence is softening.

Image by Adam Fagen.

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By Popular Demand.
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4 hours ago
News
Politics

Federal Court to Review California’s New Congressional Maps by This Date.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: A federal court in California has set December 15 as the date to hear arguments about the state’s new congressional maps, which have been redrawn to favor the Democrats.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: California Republicans, voters, members of the Trump administration, Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom, Secretary of State Shirley Weber, and Attorney General Rob Bonta.

📍WHEN & WHERE: December 15, 2023, at a Los Angeles court, overseen by a three-judge panel.

💬KEY QUOTE: Democrats have called the allegations “meritless.”

🎯IMPACT: The case could determine the legality of congressional maps, potentially impacting the makeup of the House of Representatives after the 2026 midterms.

IN FULL

A federal court in California has set oral arguments for December 15 on the state’s newly approved congressional maps, which were passed via Proposition 50 earlier this month and are widely seen as boosting Democrats’ chances of winning the House in the 2026 midterms.

The California Republican Party, joined by voters and Trump administration officials, has filed suit against Democrat Governor Gavin Newsom and Secretary of State Shirley Weber, claiming the maps unconstitutionally prioritize Democrat-leaning Latino voters at the expense of other racial groups. Democrats have called the lawsuit “meritless.”

The U.S. District Court for the Central District of California had originally scheduled a hearing for next week, but agreed to Attorney General Rob Bonta’s request to push it to December 15. Bonta, defending Newsom and Weber, had first asked to delay until January 2026, per court filings.

A three-judge panel in Los Angeles will hear the case, and the ruling could shape how far California can go in drawing maps that appear to favor particular demographic groups in future elections.

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17 hours ago
Crime
News

CBP Seizes Massive Meth Shipment at Border.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) uncovered over $10.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine hidden in a shipment of lettuce at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: CBP officers, the truck driver, and Homeland Security Investigations (HSI), which is conducting a criminal inquiry.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The discovery was made on November 21 at the Pharr International Bridge cargo facility in South Texas.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Port Director Carlos Rodriguez.

🎯IMPACT: The bust, one of the largest methamphetamine seizures at the South Texas port this year, highlights the critical role of inspection technology and CBP efforts in combating drug smuggling.

IN FULL

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers seized more than $10.3 million worth of suspected methamphetamine at the Pharr International Bridge in South Texas on November 21. The drugs, weighing approximately 1,153 pounds, were hidden inside a commercial shipment of lettuce arriving from Mexico. CBP officers first detected anomalies using non-intrusive inspection technology. A physical search then uncovered 500 packages of the suspected narcotic concealed in boxes designed to blend with ordinary produce crates.

“Within a shipment of salad greens, our frontline officers discovered contraband that does not belong on any holiday table,” said Carlos Rodriguez, Port Director for the Hidalgo/Pharr/Anzalduas Port of Entry. “As this seizure aptly illustrates, our officers’ use of tools and technology were instrumental in this massive takedown of hard narcotics.”

CBP seized the narcotics and the tractor-trailer. Homeland Security Investigations has opened a criminal investigation, but no information about the driver or possible arrests has been released.

The bust, occurring just days before Thanksgiving, ranks among the largest methamphetamine seizures this year at the South Texas port.

Methamphetamine is a powerful synthetic stimulant that produces intense euphoria but carries severe health risks, including rapid heart rate, high blood pressure, paranoia, organ damage, psychosis, and fatal overdose. Large-scale production is dominated by Mexican cartels, which smuggle multi-ton shipments into the United States.

Recent related enforcement actions highlight the ongoing challenge. In February 2025, Mexican authorities, acting under increased U.S. pressure on drug trafficking, seized roughly 440 pounds of finished methamphetamine and more than 3,170 gallons of chemical precursors worth an estimated $40 million in Sinaloa state. In October 2025, federal agents in Georgia confiscated over 325 pounds of meth from a storage unit, resulting in charges against a suspected distributor.

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18 hours ago
Politics

D.C. Mayor Bowser Won’t Run for Fourth Term.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Washington D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser announced she will not seek re-election in 2026, citing the challenges of federal intervention in the city under President Donald J. Trump.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Muriel Bowser, President Donald J. Trump, D.C. Council members, and federal agencies, including the National Guard.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Bowser made her announcement via social media on Tuesday, as federal involvement in D.C. remains a contentious issue.

🎯IMPACT: Bowser’s decision not to run opens the door for new candidates.

IN FULL

Muriel Bowser, the three-term Democrat mayor of Washington, D.C., announced on Tuesday that she will not seek re-election next year. The decision comes as Bowser has found herself increasingly at odds with both the far-left Washington, D.C. City Council and President Donald J. Trump, the latter having federalized law enforcement and deployed National Guard troops in the capital city to address rampant violent crime.

Bowser made the announcement in a video posted to X (formerly Twitter), where she reflected on her tenure and urged residents to “summon our collective strength to stand tall against bullies who threaten our very autonomy while preserving Home Rule.” She did not directly mention Trump in her address but highlighted the supposed importance of local governance.

During her leadership, Bowser often cooperated with federal initiatives, such as clearing homeless encampments and working with federal immigration agents, while also criticizing the deployment of National Guard troops. She acknowledged that federal intervention had contributed to a significant reduction in crime, raising the ire of the progressive-dominated D.C. City Council.

The federal government’s involvement in D.C. escalated in August when President J. Trump issued an emergency order federalizing the city’s police force. This move, which included National Guard deployments, sparked legal challenges from the district. A federal judge recently ruled in favor of the city, ordering an end to the deployment, though the decision is expected to be appealed.

Bowser’s decision not to run has already prompted speculation about potential candidates. D.C. Council members Robert White Jr. and Brooke Pinto have declared their candidacies for the district’s U.S. House delegate seat, while Janesse Lewis George is considered a possible contender.

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By Popular Demand.
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18 hours ago
Immigration
News

Trump Admin Reassessing Refugees Admitted by Biden.

PULSE POINTS

❓WHAT HAPPENED: Green card approvals for refugees admitted under the former Biden regime have been suspended, as per a government memo.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Refugees admitted between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, the former Biden regime, and the Trump administration.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The memo impacts refugees admitted to the United States during Biden’s term, with reviews ongoing under the Trump administration.

💬KEY QUOTE: “USCIS [U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services] is ready to uphold the law and ensure the refugee program is not abused.” – Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services

🎯IMPACT: The review raises uncertainty about the status of Biden-era refugees and highlights the shift in U.S. refugee policy under the Trump administration.

IN FULL

The Trump administration has suspended all green card approvals for refugees who entered the United States between January 20, 2021, and February 20, 2025, according to a report based on an internal government memo. The directive orders an immediate halt to processing permanent residency applications for refugees admitted during the former Biden regime. It extends to a review of refugees who have already received green cards.

The memo states that those found to have been improperly admitted “have no right to appeal” the determination, though anyone placed in removal proceedings may present their case before an immigration judge.

Joseph Edlow, director of United States Citizenship and Immigration Services, said, “USCIS is ready to uphold the law and ensure the refugee program is not abused.” Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin stated: “For four straight years, the Biden administration accelerated refugee admissions from terror and gang-prone countries, prioritizing sheer numbers over rigorous vetting and strict adherence to legal requirements. This reckless approach undermined the integrity of our immigration system and jeopardized the safety and security of the American people. Corrective action is now being taken to ensure those who are present in the United States deserve to be here.”

The move is part of a broader crackdown on the issuance of green cards. In February 2025, President Donald J. Trump announced the termination of the EB-5 investor visa program, which he called a fraudulent “cheap way to buy a green card,” replacing it with a new $5 million “Trump Gold Card” that requires direct payment to the Treasury and job-creation commitments.

In July, the administration began revoking green cards from permanent residents with criminal records, including those supporting terrorist organizations, and intensified deportations at ports of entry. The following month, the House passed, and the Senate advanced the Protect Our Communities from DUIs Act, which would make any DUI conviction, past or present, grounds for deportation of non-citizens, including green card holders. The White House has endorsed the legislation.

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