U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper held investigative journalist and former CBS News correspondent Catherine Herridge in civil contempt yesterday. Herridge has refused to expose the source behind a series of 2017 Fox News reports on a federal investigation into Chinese American scientist Yanping Chen’s ties to the Chinese military.
“Herridge and many of her colleagues in the journalism community may disagree with that decision and prefer that a different balance be struck, but she is not permitted to flout a federal court’s order with impunity,” Judge Cooper wrote on Thursday.
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The former CBS News correspondent has been ordered to pay $800 daily until she complies with an August court order to reveal the source behind her reporting on Chen. However, the judge issued a 30-day stay for the contempt order while Herridge explores a possible appeal.
Judge Cooper’s ruling has been met with strong pushback from journalists and First Amendment activists who see the contempt order as a blow to the media’s constitutional rights.
Chen is seeking the identity of Herridge’s source. Chen filed a lawsuit against the FBI and Department of Justice in 2018, asserting that her reputation was unjustly tarnished and her livelihood compromised by selective information leakage. The judge’s earlier order in August had demanded Herridge divulge her sources during a deposition, asserting that Chen’s need for the information outweighed Herridge’s journalistic protection rights.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: Brian Cole Jr., a Virginia man, was arrested and charged with placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committees on January 5, 2021.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Brian Cole, federal investigators, and prosecutors.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The pipe bombs were placed on January 5, 2021, outside the RNC and DNC headquarters in Washington, D.C. Cole was arrested on December 4, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “I really don’t like either party at this point,” Cole reportedly told investigators, explaining his actions.
🎯IMPACT: The devices did not detonate, and no one was harmed. Prosecutors argue the incident demonstrates the dangerous nature of Cole’s alleged actions and are asking that he remain detained before trial.
IN FULL
Brian Cole Jr., the Virginia man charged with placing pipe bombs outside the Republican and Democratic National Committees on January 5, 2021, has told federal investigators that he was not intending to target the joint session of Congress certifying the 2020 presidential election. Instead, Cole—who was arrested on December 4, 2025—said, according to court filings, that his decision to place pipe bombs outside the RNC and DNC was primarily inspired by Irish Republican Army (IRA) attacks during the Troubles period in Northern Ireland.
“When asked why he placed the devices at the RNC and DNC, the defendant responded, ‘I really don’t like either party at this point,'” the court filing by federal prosecutors states, adding: “[Cole] also explained that the idea to use pipe bombs came from his interest in history, specifically the Troubles in Ireland. The defendant denied that his actions were directed toward Congress or related to the proceedings scheduled to take place on January 6.”
“According to the defendant, he was not really thinking about how people would react when the bombs detonated, although he hoped there would be news about it,” prosecutors stated in their filing, noting: “The defendant stated that he had not tested the devices before planting them. He claimed that when he learned that the devices did not detonate, he was ‘pretty relieved,’ and asserted that he placed the devices at night because he did not want to kill people.”
The documents state that Cole Jr. had intended for the pipe bombs to explode after 60 minutes, with timers on each set for that duration. After placing the devices, he told prosecutors that he drove to Virginia, picked up a carry-out meal, and then returned to his parents’ home in Woodbridge.
Prosecutors, in revealing Cole’s confession, are asking a federal judge to order the pipe bomber to remain detained in federal custody ahead of his trial. They contend his choice of the RNC and DNC “demonstrates the extreme and deeply dangerous nature of his conduct,” and that “the defendant did so because he did not ‘like either party,’ but ‘they were in charge’ and thus were, in the defendant’s mind, an appropriate target for extreme acts of violence.”
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief, Raheem Kassam, sat down with Daniel Suhr, president of the Center for American Rights, regarding the latter’s “Lift the Cap” campaign—an effort to push the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to dramatically alter limits to ownership in local broadcast media
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The National Pulse Editor-in-Chief Raheem Kassam, Daniel Suhr, the FCC, ABC, NBC, CBS, Nexstar, and Sinclair.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The interview occurred on Boxing Day, December 26, 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “So many of us rely on local television for things that we care about, local news, local sports—even if we maybe use a streaming service for our national news. The reality is that more Americans tune in to the evening news at 5 or 6 o’clock on their local TV. news than any watch a big cable show like The Five.” — Daniel Suhr
🎯IMPACT: Suhr hopes to see major local broadcasters like Nexstar and Sinclair be able to expand and gain the necessary leverage to not only be able to push back but also influence the parent broadcasters, like NBC, CBS, and ABC.
IN FULL
The National Pulse’s Editor-in-Chief, Raheem Kassam, sat down with Daniel Suhr, president of the Center for American Rights, regarding the latter’s “Lift the Cap” campaign—an effort to push the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to dramatically alter limits to ownership in local broadcast media. Speaking during the annual War Room: Boxing Day Special, Kassam and Suhr examined the implications of the FCC lifting the ownership restrictions, particularly given that television viewers still receive most of their news from local broadcasters.
“So many of us rely on local television for things that we care about, local news, local sports—even if we maybe use a streaming service for our national news. The reality is that more Americans tune in to the evening news at 5 or 6 o’clock on their local TV news than any watch a big cable show like The Five,” Suhr said.
His nonprofit group, the Center for American Rights, is advocating for the FCC to reform its 39 percent ownership cap, which prevents a local broadcast company from reaching more than 39 percent of U.S. households. He also points out that today’s media landscape is vastly different from it was when the cap was instituted, especially with the rise of the streaming giants like Google and YouTube.
Suhr contends lifting the ownership cap would “open up a free market,” and that his group’s campaign seeks to “open up greater room for capitalism to stop these government interventions in the market, and instead allow broadcasters to grow in a natural way, in line with what capitalism dictates.” He goes on to note that the campaign has received backing from several notable figures, including Mike Davis of the Article Three Project and free market economist Stephen Moore.
At its core, Suhr hopes to see major local broadcasters, such as Nexstar and Sinclair, expand and gain the necessary leverage to not only push back but also influence the parent broadcasters, includingNBC, CBS, and ABC.
DANIEL SUHR: There is currently a cap on local TV stations preventing them from reaching more than 39% of households. We need to open up the market for local broadcasters to compete!
While, on the face of it, the push to abolish ownership caps for local broadcasters may seem like an ideal policy for a conservative media environment, some claim that if the cap is lifted, safeguards must be put in place to prevent a repeat of the post-Citizens United era in politics, where large corporations can dominate.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. offered Ukraine security guarantees for 15 years during peace plan talks, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. However, he wants 50.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. President Donald J. Trump, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Talks took place on Sunday at President Trump’s Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida, with follow-up discussions involving European leaders on Monday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Without security guarantees, this war cannot be considered truly over.” – Volodymyr Zelensky
🎯IMPACT: Discussions on security guarantees and territorial disputes bring peace negotiations closer, but unresolved issues remain, especially regarding Donbas and the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant.
IN FULL
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky says that the United States has proposed security guarantees for Ukraine lasting 15 years, following his discussions with U.S. President Donald J. Trump in Florida on Sunday. However, Zelensky has said he wants the U.S. to “consider the possibility of 30, 40, 50 years.” Such a commitment that would likely bind generations of Americans until long after the deaths of President Trump, 79, and Russian President Vladimir Putin, 73, and possibly Zelensky himself, who will be 97 if he lives another 50 years.
Key points of contention in the negotiations included territorial issues in the Donbas region and the status of the Russian-occupied Zaporizhzhia Nuclear Power Plant. Zelensky described a peace framework as “90 percent of the way there.” Trump assessed progress on security guarantees as “close to 95 percent.” The Kremlin has noted that peace talks are moving forward, despite lingering challenges.
Zelensky stressed the importance of security guarantees taking effect right away if a peace agreement is signed, saying, “Without security guarantees, this war cannot be considered truly over.” Trump indicated that European partners would probably “take over a big part” of the responsibility for this, albeit possibly with some U.S. involvement.
Russia holds control over much of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, which make up the Donbas, but wants Ukraine to cede full control over them and has displayed limited flexibility on the matter. Trump said the issue is “unresolved, but it’s getting a lot closer.” Zelensky has proposed that any deal requiring territorial compromises be submitted to a public referendum in Ukraine.
As negotiations proceed, fighting continues on the battlefield. Ukrainian authorities reported 25 Russian airstrikes on Sunday. Meanwhile, Russia’s Defense Ministry stated it downed 89 Ukrainian drones, mostly over the Bryansk region.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: A report by Kapwing reveals that low-quality AI-generated videos, dubbed “brainrot,” have amassed over 63 billion views on YouTube, generating approximately $114 million annually.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Video-editing company Kapwing, AI content creators, YouTube viewers, and researchers such as Emilie Owens and Eryk Salvaggio.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The report surveyed 15,000 YouTube channels globally in 2025, covering countries including South Korea, Spain, and Egypt.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Generative AI is a tool, and like any tool it can be used to make both high- and low-quality content,” said a YouTube spokesman.
🎯IMPACT: AI-generated content is influencing YouTube’s ecosystem, sparking debates about quality, mental health, and the platform’s role in regulating such material.
IN FULL
A report by video-editing company Kapwing has found that low-quality, AI-generated videos, often described as “brainrot,” are becoming a significant part of YouTube’s ecosystem, drawing vast audiences and substantial revenue. According to the study, these videos have accumulated more than 63 billion views and generate an estimated $114 million annually, with researchers suggesting they may make up over 20 percent of content appearing in users’ feeds.
Kapwing reviewed 15,000 of the world’s most popular YouTube channels and identified 278 that publish only AI-generated material. These channels are global in scope and have amassed large followings. Spanish AI-only channels collectively attract about 20 million subscribers, while Egyptian ones have roughly 18 million. In South Korea, trending AI channels have recorded 8.45 billion views—well above the country’s population.
The content typically includes fabricated K-pop music videos, looped AI-created animal clips, and other repetitive visuals designed to maximize watch time. Kapwing named the Indian channel Bandar Apna Dost as the most-viewed AI-only channel, with 2.4 billion views and an estimated $3.9 million in revenue. Another example, Singapore-based Pouty Frenchie, features videos of a French bulldog aimed at children and could generate close to $3.8 million a year.
Researchers and mental health experts have raised concerns about the effects of prolonged exposure to such material. Emilie Owens, a media researcher at the University of Oslo, said young people often turn to “brainrot” videos as a way to escape stress.
Cambridge University researcher Eryk Salvaggio warned that AI-generated content spreads easily and is often designed to provoke outrage. The Newport Institute, a U.S. mental health organization, has cautioned that excessive consumption could contribute to behavioral addiction and harm cognitive skills such as decision-making and problem-solving.
A YouTube spokesman responded to the findings by saying, “Generative AI is a tool, and like any tool it can be used to make both high- and low-quality content. We remain focused on connecting our users with high-quality content, regardless of how it was made.” The company added that it continues to enforce community guidelines and remove policy-violating videos.
The debate over AI’s impact extends beyond online video. Concerns about safety at the highest levels of AI development have been highlighted by comments attributed to an OpenAI scientist who reportedly said, “We’re definitely going to build a bunker before we release AGI,” reflecting anxiety over artificial general intelligence.
Other research has linked AI-powered pricing systems to higher grocery costs for consumers, while lawsuits and advocacy groups have warned about the mental health risks of intense AI chatbot use among teenagers.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) says it is in the midst of an ongoing investigation into fraud in Minneapolis childcare businesses after a daycare center allegedly stole millions in taxpayer funds.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: FBI Director Kash Patel, independent journalist Nick Shirley, Minnesota gubernatorial candidate Lisa Demuth (R), and others.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Ongoing investigation in Minnesota, with recent updates posted on social media in late December 2025.
💬KEY QUOTE: “This is just the tip of a very large iceberg. We will continue to follow the money and protect children.” – Kash Patel
🎯IMPACT: Several investigations into social services fraud in the state have so far exposed the widespread theft of taxpayer dollars, with 78 indictments and 57 convictions tied to a separate $250 million scheme involving the Feeding Our Future nonprofit group.
IN FULL
Over the Christmas holiday, Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director Kash Patel announced that the bureau is intensifying its efforts to combat Somali immigrant community-linked fraud in Minnesota following allegations that a daycare center misappropriated $4 million in taxpayer funds. Notably, the specific allegations pertain to just one of a number of Minneapolis childcare facilities that are allegedly involved in schemes defrauding taxpayers and the state and federal governments.
According to Patel, the FBI has been aware of the fraud situation for some time and has already deployed additional personnel and investigative resources to the state. In recent weeks, independent journalist Nick Shirley brought attention to the issue by posting a video on X (formerly Twitter) showing the daycare, which appeared empty, yet reportedly received millions in government funding.
The video quickly went viral, amassing over 65 million views. Shirley said that the daycare, the “Quality Learing [sic] Center,” had misspelled signage and lacked visible activity, raising questions about how it received such large sums of money.
🚨 Here is the full 42 minutes of my crew and I exposing Minnesota fraud, this might be my most important work yet. We uncovered over $110,000,000 in ONE day. Like it and share it around like wildfire! Its time to hold these corrupt politicians and fraudsters accountable
Meanwhile, Patel noted that the FBI’s investigation has already helped dismantle a $250 million fraud network connected to the Feeding Our Future program, which involved fake vendors, shell companies, and money laundering schemes. He emphasized that the bureau remains committed to protecting children and pursuing those who exploit federal programs, stating, “Fraud that steals from taxpayers and robs vulnerable children will remain a top FBI priority.”
The broader fraud investigation involving individuals connected to Minnesota’s Somali immigrant community has already resulted in dozens of indictments and convictions. Patel noted that some individuals involved attempted to bribe jurors and are now facing significant prison sentences and restitution orders. He also mentioned that immigration authorities are reviewing cases for possible denaturalization and deportation proceedings.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Brigitte Bardot, the French actress, singer, and animal rights activist, has died at the age of 91.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Brigitte Bardot, her family, and her foundation, as well as public figures like Marine Le Pen.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: Bardot passed away on Sunday, December 28, 2023. Her foundation made the announcement.
💬KEY QUOTE: “She was incredibly French: free, untamable, whole. She will be greatly missed by us.” – Marine Le Pen
🎯IMPACT: Bardot’s passing marks the end of an era for French cinema, leaving a complex legacy of fame, philanthropy, and fierce campaigning against animal cruelty, mass migration, and modern feminism.
IN FULL
Brigitte Bardot, the iconic French actress, singer, and animal rights activist, has passed away at the age of 91. Her death was announced on Sunday, December 28, 2023, by the Brigitte Bardot Foundation.
Bardot, born on September 28, 1934, in Paris, rose to global fame with films like And God Created Woman (1956), embodying a natural, joyful femininity that captivated the world. After retiring from acting in 1973, she poured much of her energy into animal welfare, founding the Brigitte Bardot Foundation in 1986. However, she also spoke boldly against mass migration and modern feminism while celebrating traditional womanhood.
In her final television interview on BFM TV in May 2025, she declared: “Feminism isn’t my thing; I like men.” Bardot also voiced strong concerns about immigration overwhelming France’s culture and identity. She praised National Rally (RN) leader Marine Le Pen as “the Joan of Arc of the 21st century” and supported leaders who prioritized national sovereignty and the preservation of French traditions.
Her fearless authenticity—defying elite opinion in Hollywood, mass media, and the political class—offers a powerful lesson for women today. Bardot lived life on her own terms: embracing femininity without apology, supporting men openly, speaking out for her homeland, and prioritizing her causes over pursuing popularity. In an era of conformity, her courage reminds us that true empowerment comes from genuine conviction, not following trends.
Tributes poured in following her death. Marine Le Pen called her “an exceptional woman” and “incredibly French: free, untamable, whole,” and even President Emmanuel Macron acknowledged her “dazzling glory” and “generous passion for animals.”
Bardot is survived by her husband, Bernard d’Ormale, and her son, Nicolas-Jacques Charrier.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The Department of Justice (DOJ) issued an opinion reversing a Biden-era rule that allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide taxpayer-funded abortions, citing federal restrictions.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: DOJ Office of Legal Counsel, the VA, and the former Biden government.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The opinion was published on Monday, affecting VA medical centers across the U.S.
💬KEY QUOTE: “The DOJ’s opinion states that VA is not legally authorized to provide abortions, and VA is complying with it immediately.” – Veterans Affairs Press Secretary Peter Kasperowicz.
🎯IMPACT: The VA has ceased aborting babies under the Biden-era rule, complying with the DOJ’s interpretation of federal law.
IN FULL
A U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) ruling issued on Monday has overturned a former Biden regime policy that allowed the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide taxpayer-funded abortions. The DOJ opinion concludes that federal law generally prohibits the VA from aborting babies.
Issued by the DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel, the opinion found that a 2022 rule adopted after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision conflicted with the Veterans Health Care Act. That rule had permitted the VA to provide abortions in certain circumstances.
Josh Craddock, Deputy Assistant Attorney General for the OLC, said the VA secretary’s authority over medical care has clear limits. “That discretion is not limitless,” Craddock wrote, adding that the Veterans Health Care Act “makes clear” abortion services may only be provided in specific situations, such as life-threatening emergencies or as part of treatment for ectopic pregnancies and miscarriages.
Veterans Affairs Press Secretary Peter Kasperowicz confirmed the department has already stopped providing abortions under the Biden-era rule. “The DOJ’s opinion states that VA is not legally authorized to provide abortions, and VA is complying with it immediately,” he said.
The VA operates a nationwide network of medical facilities, serving approximately nine million veterans and beneficiaries. Under the 2022 policy, the department provided about 140 abortions per year, a figure significantly lower than the approximately 1,000 annual procedures the administration initially projected following the rollback of Roe v. Wadeand the implementation of state-level abortion restrictions.
Notably, the decision comes amid broader disputes over federal abortion funding. In recent months, Planned Parenthood has sued the Trump administration over provisions in the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” that restrict Medicaid reimbursements to organizations that abort babies.
Supporters of the legislation argue it enforces long-standing limits on taxpayer-funded abortion. Courts have also weighed in on abortion funding, with some judges temporarily blocking restrictions and others ruling that the federal government must continue certain payments.
❓WHAT HAPPENED: Georgetown University has severed ties with Francesca Albanese, a U.N. Special Rapporteur facing U.S. sanctions, following scrutiny from watchdog groups.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Francesca Albanese, Georgetown University, U.N. Watch, and U.S. officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio.
📍WHEN & WHERE: The removal was first noted on December 21, 2025, with Albanese’s profile removed from Georgetown’s website.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Universities exist to uphold intellectual honesty and historical truth, not to legitimize distortions of history or rhetoric that excuses violence against civilians.” – Heather Johnston, founder of the U.S.-Israel Education Association
🎯IMPACT: The decision underscores global condemnation of Albanese’s statements.
IN FULL
United Nations (UN) Special Rapporteur Francesca Albanese has been removed from a list of affiliated scholars at Georgetown University following criticism over her public statements and her inclusion on a U.S. sanctions list. The removal came after U.N. Watch drew attention to Albanese’s record and publicly questioned her continued association with the university. On December 21, U.N. Watch CEO Hillel Neuer wrote on social media, “U.N. Hamas apologist Francesca Albanese has been removed from Georgetown University.” Neuer also posted screenshots showing Albanese’s profile on Georgetown’s website before it was taken down, followed by an error page indicating the profile was no longer available.
Before its removal, Albanese’s biography described her as “an international lawyer and researcher” with publications focused on Palestinian refugee issues.
The decision was welcomed by some pro-Israel advocates. Heather Johnston, founder of the U.S.-Israel Education Association, praised Georgetown’s action, stating, “Universities exist to uphold intellectual honesty and historical truth, not to legitimize distortions of history or rhetoric that excuses violence against civilians.”
Albanese has been the subject of growing international controversy. In July, Secretary of State Marco Rubio announced that the United States had imposed sanctions on her, citing her involvement with the International Criminal Court (ICC) and its efforts to pursue legal action against U.S. and Israeli nationals without their consent. The U.S. State Department accused Albanese of “unabashed antisemitism” and of supporting terrorism.
Her comments following Hamas’s October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel further fueled criticism. In February 2024, France and Germany condemned Albanese after she appeared to justify the attacks by arguing that the victims were not targeted because they were Jewish but as a response to Israeli policies. France labeled her remarks “scandalous,” while Germany called them “a disgrace” to the United Nations.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. military achieved its best recruiting numbers in 15 years during fiscal year 2025, with all services exceeding their goals, except for the Army Reserve.
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👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Donald J. Trump, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell, and Undersecretary of War Anthony J. Tata.
📍WHEN & WHERE: Fiscal year 2025, United States.
💬KEY QUOTE: “If you look at the data from November, from the election of President Trump and then Secretary Hegseth’s confirmation thereafter, the numbers that we’ve seen during that time period have been historic.” – Sean Parnell
🎯IMPACT: The surge in recruiting numbers strengthens U.S. military ranks amid global geopolitical challenges, suggesting a renewed focus on military readiness.
IN FULL
U.S. military recruiting in 2025 has reached its highest level in about 15 years, with every active-duty service exceeding its annual goals except the Army Reserve, according to Pentagon data. Department of War officials say the rebound marks a dramatic reversal from recent years of shortfalls under the former Biden regime.
Pentagon leaders have linked the surge to policy and cultural shifts under President Donald J. Trump and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth. Speaking about the timing of the increase, Pentagon spokesman Sean Parnell highlighted the period following the election and the confirmation of the new Secretary of War. “If you look at the data from November, from the election of President Trump and then Secretary Hegseth’s confirmation thereafter, the numbers that we’ve seen during that time period have been historic,” Parnell said.
Hegseth has made military culture a central focus of his tenure, promoting what he has described as a renewed “warrior ethos.” Since taking office, he has canceled official identity-based observances, dismantled several diversity-focused programs, and stated that promotions and hiring decisions should be based strictly on merit. The Pentagon has also begun reviewing how terms such as “bullying” and “hazing” are defined and enforced, arguing that standards must distinguish misconduct from the demands of military training.
Recruitment gains have been reported across multiple branches. The Army reached its annual enlistment target months ahead of schedule for the first time in more than a decade, while the Navy also surpassed its projected numbers earlier than expected. Officials have pointed to changes in messaging, advertising, and recruiting standards, along with the broader policy shift, as factors attracting more applicants.
The improved recruiting environment comes as U.S. forces remain active globally. In recent months, the military has carried out strikes against terrorist targets in Syria and expanded counter-narcotics operations in the Caribbean. Defense leaders argue that stronger recruitment directly supports readiness at a time of heightened competition with adversaries such as China.
In previous years, analysts and military officials warned that persistent recruiting gaps could strain force readiness and limit the Pentagon’s ability to meet operational demands. The 2025 figures, however, suggest those concerns have eased for now, with most services reporting enlistment levels that exceed expectations.
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❓WHAT HAPPENED: The University of Oklahoma removed a transgender graduate teaching assistant from instructional duties after accusations of religious discrimination and arbitrary grading practices.
👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Samantha Fulnecky, a conservative student; Mel Curth, the graduate teaching assistant; University of Oklahoma officials.
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📍WHEN & WHERE: The decision at the University of Oklahoma was announced on Monday.
💬KEY QUOTE: “Based on an examination of the graduate teaching assistant’s own statements related to this matter, it was determined that the graduate teaching assistant was arbitrary in the grading of this specific paper.” – University of Oklahoma statement.
🎯IMPACT: The instructor was removed from teaching duties, the student’s grade was reviewed, and a full-time professor was assigned to the course.
IN FULL
A transgender graduate teaching assistant, Mel Curth, has been removed from his duties at the University of Oklahoma after a student alleged he engaged in religious discrimination after assigning her a failing grade on an essay. The essay, written by 20-year-old junior Samantha Fulnecky, rejected gender ideology from a Christian perspective. University officials cited arbitrary grading practices in their decision to remove Curth.
The controversy began with a late-November assignment in a psychology course, where students were tasked with writing a 650-word response to an academic article. Fulnecky’s essay argued that gender is biologically fixed and rooted in Christian belief, stating, “I live my life based on this truth and firmly believe that there would be less gender issues and insecurities in children if they were raised knowing that they do not belong to themselves, but they belong to the Lord.”
Curth, who uses “she/they” pronouns, failed the paper, claiming it relied too heavily on “personal ideology” and describing parts of it as offensive. In a response to Fulnecky, Curth stated, “To call an entire group of people ‘demonic’ is highly offensive, especially a minoritized population.” The essay’s grading and Curth’s comments sparked public scrutiny after being shared widely online.
Following an internal review, the university confirmed that Curth’s grading practices were arbitrary and reassigned teaching duties to a full-time professor for the remainder of the semester. Officials also ensured that Fulnecky’s failed grade would not impact her final course outcome and conducted a formal grade appeal process. Additionally, Fulnecky filed a religious discrimination complaint, which triggered an internal investigation.
Conservative figures praised Fulnecky for standing firm in her beliefs. Oklahoma state Representative Gabe Woolley (R) called the removal of Curth appropriate, stating the instructor “should never have been employed at a public university” while rejecting biological sex differences. Former state schools superintendent Ryan Walters described Fulnecky as “an American hero” for confronting what he described as a broader attack on Christianity.
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