Thursday, December 18, 2025

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Journalist Catherine Herridge Held In Contempt By Federal Judge For Refusing To Name Source.

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.

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.

By Popular Demand.
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Former Fox Host, UK PM David Cameron Advisor Tops CA Governor Primary.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Former Fox News host Steve Hilton leads a new poll for California’s governor race, edging out Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) and Representative Eric Swalwell (D).

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Steve Hilton, Chad Bianco, Eric Swalwell, Katie Porter, and other candidates in California’s jungle primary.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Poll conducted between November 30 and December 7, 2025, among California voters.

🎯IMPACT: If Hilton and Bianco advance, it could lead to a Republican governor in California for the first time since 2011.

IN FULL

Steve Hilton, a former Fox News host who served as an advisor to former British Prime Minister David Cameron, tops new polling of California’s gubernatorial jungle primary, taking a narrow one-point lead over Riverside County Sheriff Chad Bianco (R) and Representative Eric Swalwell (D-CA), with former Rep. Katie Porter (D-CA) falling to fourth place. The poll, commissioned by the California Issues Forum, has Hilton taking 18 percent of the vote, with both Bianco and Swalwell taking 17 percent. Porter, the one-time frontrunner who has been embroiled in personal scandals, has fallen to 13 percent of the vote.

The surprising results suggest that Hilton and Bianco could emerge as the top two candidates in the jungle primary, in which the two highest vote recipients, regardless of party, advance to the general election. This would mean Californians would choose between the two Republican candidates in the 2026 general election.

Notably, Swalwell’s entry into the governor’s race in November led to a collapse in support for Porter. The National Pulse previously reported that Porter, a former Democrat member of Congress, has faced a series of personal scandals involving her uncontrolled temper and mistreatment of staff.

The poll surveyed 821 likely voters between November 30 and December 7, 2025. It also found that in a hypothetical head-to-head matchup between Democratic candidates, Swalwell leads Porter 30 percent to 21 percent, with 20 percent undecided.

Meanwhile, California Attorney General Rob Bonta (D) is rumored to be considering entering the race, which could further split the Democratic vote. Such a split would likely strengthen the position of Republican candidates Hilton and Bianco, making it more difficult for Democrats to consolidate support.

Image by Gage Skidmore.

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By Popular Demand.
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LGBTQ Group Leader Charged With Assaulting Foster Child.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The head of New Jersey’s most prominent LGBTQ rights organization, Christian Fuscarino, resigned after being charged with allegedly assaulting his foster son.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Christian Fuscarino, Garden State Equality, the New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency, and Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The incident occurred on November 9 in Neptune City, New Jersey. Charges were filed in late November, and Fuscarino officially resigned earlier this week.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Out of respect, not for me, but for my family, I ask that this be seen for what it is: a private family moment, not a public spectacle.” – Christian Fuscarino

🎯IMPACT: Fuscarino has close ties to New Jersey’s governor-elect Mikie Sherrill (D) and other Democrat state officials.

IN FULL

Christian Fuscarino, the head of New Jersey’s most prominent LGBTQ rights organization, Garden State Equality, has resigned after being charged with child endangerment and simple assault. The charges stem from an incident on November 9, captured on home security footage, where Fuscarino allegedly pulled a foster child out of bed and struck him multiple times.

Court records allege that Fuscarino, 35, also shoved the child into a wall before striking him again. The incident was reported by another person in the home, and the child was subsequently taken to the Monmouth County Child Advocacy Center. The New Jersey Division of Child Protection and Permanency later obtained video evidence and notified authorities. Neptune City police arrested Fuscarino on November 21.

Garden State Equality says it placed Fuscarino on leave after the charges against him were filed. Consequently, Fuscarino resigned earlier this week, stating, “I resigned from Garden State Equality to ensure that the organization’s work is not impacted by a private family matter.” He further called the incident a “private family moment” and urged the public to respect his family’s privacy.

Fuscarino’s attorney, Mitchell Ansell, described the situation as a “difficult personal family moment” and assured the public that “everyone is safe and no physical harm was caused.” The organization, based in Asbury Park, has been a leading force in advancing LGBTQ policy initiatives in New Jersey, with Fuscarino serving as its executive director since 2016.

The charges and resignation leave Garden State Equality without its long-time leader, and the case continues to draw attention due to Fuscarino’s close ties to prominent Democrat officials, including Governor Phil Murphy and Governor-elect Mikie Sherrill.

Image by Silar.

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By Popular Demand.
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Brown, MIT Shootings Possibly Linked, Investigation Suggests.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Police are investigating a potential connection between a mass shooting at Brown University and the assassination of a Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) professor, occurring two days apart.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Victims include Brown University students Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook, along with MIT Professor Nuno Loureiro. Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents are searching for suspects.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The Brown University shooting occurred on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island, while the MIT professor was killed on Monday in Brookline, Boston.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This shocking loss for our community comes in a period of disturbing violence in many other places.” – MIT President Sally Kornbluth

🎯IMPACT: The incidents have left communities grieving and sparked an ongoing investigation into potential links between the two crimes.

IN FULL

Authorities are now investigating a potential connection between the mass shooting at Brown University and the assassination of Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Professor Nuno Loureiro, which occurred two days apart. The Brown University shooting, which took place on Saturday in Providence, Rhode Island, resulted in the deaths of two students and injuries to 12 others.

The victims, Mukhammad Aziz Umurzokov and Ella Cook, were killed during a study session at the Ivy League university’s School of Engineering Barus and Holley Building. The gunman fired 40 rounds before fleeing the scene. Two days later, Professor Loureiro was gunned down inside his Brookline, Boston home around 8:30 PM. Loureiro, a married father of three and director of MIT’s Plasma Science and Fusion Center, was remembered as a “wonderful man” by his neighbors and colleagues.

Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) agents have released photographs and videos of persons of interest in the Brown University case, but have yet to identify a suspect. Meanwhile, Loureiro’s murder has left the academic community mourning. MIT President Sally Kornbluth stated, “This shocking loss for our community comes in a period of disturbing violence in many other places.”

The Norfolk District Attorney’s Office confirmed that no arrests have been made in either case, describing the investigation as “active and ongoing.” Investigators initially stated there was no connection between the two incidents, but new information reported by WPRI on Thursday suggests a possible link. The outlet did not provide further details on the nature of the connection.

Loureiro, a lauded theoretical physicist and fusion scientist, began his academic career in Portugal before earning his doctorate at Imperial College London. He later worked at Princeton and the UK Atomic Energy Authority before joining MIT in 2024.

Image by Bohao Zhao.

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Trump Expands Medical Marijuana and CBD Research, Orders DOJ to Expedite Cannabis Reclassification.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: President Donald J. Trump has signed an Executive Order to improve medical marijuana and cannabidiol research.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: President Trump, Attorney General Pam Bondi, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), and Congress.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Signed Thursday, December 18, 2025, in Washington, D.C.

💬KEY QUOTE: “This move was requested by patients suffering from various conditions, including veterans, but recreational use remains unsafe.” – Donald Trump

🎯IMPACT: The Executive Order aims to improve research, access, and guidance for medical marijuana and CBD products.

IN FULL

President Donald J. Trump signed an Executive Order on Thursday removing federal legal hurdles to medical marijuana and cannabidiol (CBD) research, which will allow patients and healthcare providers to be better informed about alternative treatment options. Under the order, the Attorney General and U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) are tasked with expediting the reclassification of marijuana as a Schedule III drug under the Controlled Substances Act (CSA).

Additionally, President Trump’s directive calls for greater White House cooperation with Congress to enact legislation ensuring Americans can access appropriate, full-spectrum CBD products while restricting items that pose health risks. Trump is also tasking the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to begin developing research methods and models to enhance access to hemp-derived cannabinoid products as allowable under federal law.

“This move was requested by patients suffering from various conditions, including veterans, but recreational use remains unsafe,” President Trump remarked after signing the Executive Order at the White House.

Currently, marijuana is classified as a Schedule I substance, which is defined as having no accepted medical use, a high potential for abuse, and a lack of safety under medical supervision. The rescheduling to Schedule III aligns with a 2023 HHS recommendation that acknowledges marijuana’s medical utility. The reclassification will help facilitate research into its safety and efficacy, addressing the needs of the over six million registered medical marijuana patients in the U.S.

Hemp-derived CBD products, while not controlled under the CSA, face regulatory challenges that limit consistency and consumer protections. Studies indicate that CBD has potential benefits for managing chronic pain and other conditions, but the lack of clear Food and Drug Administration (FDA) guidelines leaves patients and doctors without sufficient information for safe use.

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By Popular Demand.
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Police Thwart Suspected Attack Plot, Arrest 7 Near Bondi Beach.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Heavily armed Australian police detained seven men after receiving intelligence suggesting a potential violent act near Sydney’s Bondi Beach.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Australian police, seven detained men, and intelligence services; the men are believed to have possible links to a prior Islamic State-inspired attack.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Arrests occurred on Thursday in southwest Sydney and near Bondi Beach, following a deadly mass shooting last weekend.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned.” – New South Wales Police

🎯IMPACT: Authorities assured the public there is no ongoing risk, though investigations continue into the group’s intentions and potential connections to prior attacks.

IN FULL

Australian police detained seven men on Thursday following intelligence indicating they were planning a “violent act.” The arrests took place in southwest Sydney and near Bondi Beach, the site of a deadly attack last weekend targeting Jews at a Hanukkah celebration.

Authorities stopped a white car traveling from Victoria to Bondi Beach, using tactical operations to detain five men. Videos showed officers in camouflage gear zip-tying the suspects on a Sydney street. A second vehicle was stopped nearby, resulting in two additional arrests.

While police have not disclosed specific details about the arrests, New South Wales police confirmed they acted on intelligence about a potential violent act. “Tactical Operations police responded to information received that a violent act was possibly being planned,” officials stated.

The arrests follow a horrific attack last weekend, allegedly carried out by Sajid and Naveed Akram. The father and son are accused of killing 15 people during a Hanukkah celebration. Naveed, who pledged support for ISIS, had been previously investigated for ties to the Islamic State. Authorities say they have, so far, not identified any connection between the deadly Bondi Beach attack and Thursday’s arrests.

Local media reports that a weapon may have been recovered in one of the vehicles, though Australian police have not confirmed this.

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By Popular Demand.
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Kennedy Center Renamed Trump Kennedy Center Following Unanimous Board Decision.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Kennedy Center Board of Trustees has voted to rename the institution as The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: The Board of Trustees and the current Chairman.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Today, at the Trump Kennedy Center.

💬KEY QUOTE: “The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction.” – Trump Kennedy Center Vice President of Public Relations Roma Daravi

🎯IMPACT: The new name reflects bipartisan support for the cultural center.

IN FULL

The Board of Trustees for the Kennedy Center has unanimously voted to change the venue’s name to The Donald J. Trump and The John F. Kennedy Memorial Center for the Performing Arts. The renaming highlights the contributions of President Trump, in his role as Chairman of the Kennedy Center, in addressing the center’s prior financial challenges and protecting it from structural harm.

Notably, Trump and President and Executive Director Richard “Ric” Grenell have nearly doubled the cultural institution’s fundraising since 2024. The America First leader has also pledged to bring the center “back to the absolute TOP LEVEL of luxury, glamour, and entertainment,” stating in August, “It had fallen on hard times, physically, BUT WILL SOON BE MAKING A MAJOR COMEBACK!!!”

Roma Daravi, the Trump Kennedy Center’s vice president of public relations, noted, “The unanimous vote recognizes that the current Chairman saved the institution from financial ruin and physical destruction.”

President Trump recently hosted an official, on-camera Kennedy Center Honors ceremony at the Oval Office, recognizing honorees including singer Gloria Gaynor and action movie star Sylvester Stallone.

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By Popular Demand.
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Vanity Fair WH Writer is Registered Dem With Creepy Social Media History.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Vanity Fair writer Chris Whipple has been revealed as a highly partisan registered Democrat with a dubious social media history involving young women.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Chris Whipple, Vanity Fair.

📍WHEN & WHERE: Various social media posts from 2016 to 2025.

💬KEY QUOTE: Whipple has called President Trump a “Deathstar” and claimed he “diminishes and tarnishes everybody around him.”

🎯IMPACT: Whipple’s biases and social media activity raise questions about his objectivity in reporting and character.

IN FULL

Chris Whipple, a writer for Vanity Fair who has been accused of disingenuous reporting on the Trump White House in recent days, has come under scrutiny for his partisan political affiliations and questionable social media activity involving young women, including some who sell pornography online.

One of the young women Whipple follows on Instagram.

Whipple is a registered Democrat who has contributed over $2,700 to Democrat candidates and committees, according to Federal Election Commission (FEC) records. His social media history reveals a strong bias against President Donald J. Trump, whom he has described as a “Deathstar” and someone who “diminishes and tarnishes everybody around him.”

Whipple has also argued that Trump “doesn’t understand the job” of being President and attempted to blame him for former President Joe Biden’s botched withdrawal from Afghanistan. He lamented Biden’s “abdication” from the 2024 presidential race as a “tragedy.”

Whipple, a married man advanced in years, also boasts several controversial follows on Instagram. These include Julie Sunx, a small-time OnlyFans prostitute, female bodybuilder Jojo Lee, and various young women who post risqué images. He also appears to follow an under-18 ballet dancer who does not follow him back.

Julie Sunx, a small-time Only Fans pornographer followed by Whipple.

His Instagram account also shows him praising Democrats, such as New York Governor Kathy Hochul and New York Attorney General Letitia James, who is responsible for a sustained lawfare campaign against President Trump, and cheering for failed Democratic vice presidential candidate Tim Walz at a political rally.

The revelations about Whipple’s political donations and his social media interactions raise questions about his ability to provide reliable and unbiased reporting, particularly given his history of derogatory comments about Trump and his administration.

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Media Sets $6 Billion Merger with Nuclear Fusion Innovator.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG) announced a $6 billion merger with TAE Technologies to combine social media operations with nuclear fusion energy development.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: TMTG, led by Devin Nunes, and TAE Technologies, backed by Google and Chevron.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The merger is expected to be completed by mid-2026, with plans to begin building a fusion power plant next year.

💬KEY QUOTE: “Fusion power will be the most dramatic energy breakthrough since the onset of commercial nuclear energy in the 1950s—an innovation that will lower energy prices, boost supply, ensure America’s A.I.-supremacy, revive our manufacturing base, and bolster national defense.” – Devin Nunes

🎯IMPACT: The merger aims to address growing energy demands from AI technologies and establish U.S. dominance in clean energy innovation.

IN FULL

Trump Media and Technology Group (TMTG), the company behind President Donald J. Trump’s Truth Social platform, has revealed plans for a merger with TAE Technologies, a leading nuclear fusion energy developer, in an all-stock transaction valued at more than $6 billion. The deal aims to integrate TMTG’s social media platform with TAE’s advanced fusion research, with the combined company targeting a 2026 start to construction of a utility-scale fusion power plant.

Upon completion, shareholders of each firm will hold approximately 50 percent of the new entity on a fully diluted basis. TAE Technologies, supported by investors including Google and Chevron, works on affordable, clean fusion energy solutions to support surging power needs from artificial intelligence (AI) applications.

TMTG CEO Devin Nunes underscored the deal’s potential, saying, “Trump Media & Technology Group built uncancellable infrastructure to secure free expression online for Americans, and now we’re taking a big step forward toward a revolutionary technology that will cement America’s global energy dominance for generations.” He further noted that fusion could significantly reduce energy prices while enhancing national security.

The boards of both companies have approved the agreement, with closure anticipated in mid-2026. Nunes will co-lead the merged company as co-CEO with TAE’s Michl Binderbauer. The partnership targets the technology sector’s growing need for sustainable, reliable power amid rapid AI development.

Wedbush tech analyst Dan Ives observed that the merger establishes TMTG as a prominent force in fusion energy, commenting, “TAE will also clearly have major political support from President Trump in our view, and this importantly will create a major nuclear fusion US energy domestic bet over the coming years.”

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By Popular Demand.
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Trump Admin Intensifies Efforts to Revoke Citizenship in Fraud Cases.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: The Trump administration is reportedly planning to increase denaturalization cases, targeting foreign-born Americans who committed fraud during the citizenship process.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS), the Department of Justice (DOJ), and naturalized U.S. citizens.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The guidance reportedly sets monthly quotas for 2026, with actions taking place nationwide.

💬KEY QUOTE: “We will pursue denaturalization proceedings for those individuals lying or misrepresenting themselves during the naturalization process.” – Matthew Tragesser, USCIS spokesman.

🎯IMPACT: A concerted denaturalization effort could discourage foreigners from attempting to obtain U.S. citizenship through illegitimate means.

IN FULL

The Trump administration is preparing a significant expansion of denaturalization efforts, seeking to revoke U.S. citizenship from foreign-born Americans who commit fraud during the naturalization process. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has been instructed to provide the Office of Immigration Litigation with between 100 and 200 denaturalization cases per month by 2026, a dramatic increase from historical levels.

Denaturalization has long been an uncommon legal action. Fewer than 200 cases were filed over the past eight years, and between 1990 and 2017, the federal government averaged roughly 11 cases annually, according to the Immigrant Legal Resource Center. The new targets would represent a sharp escalation as part of President Donald J. Trump’s broader immigration enforcement agenda.

Matthew Tragesser, a USCIS spokesman, defended the initiative, saying, “We will pursue denaturalization proceedings for those individuals lying or misrepresenting themselves during the naturalization process. We look forward to continuing to work with the Department of Justice to restore integrity to America’s immigration system.”

The Department of Justice (DOJ) has issued guidance directing attorneys to prioritize denaturalization cases involving alleged national security threats, serious criminal conduct, or material misrepresentations during the citizenship process. Pro-migrant organizations complain that the broad criteria could expand enforcement beyond traditionally narrow fraud cases. The U.S. Census Bureau estimates that approximately 26 million people in the United States are naturalized citizens, with about 800,000 gaining citizenship in the past year alone.

The push aligns with other recent actions by the Trump administration aimed at tightening access to citizenship. The administration has also moved to deny visas to foreign nationals suspected of traveling to the United States to exploit birthright citizenship laws and has strengthened screening to prevent abuse of the system.

In addition, Trump has ordered changes to make the citizenship test more rigorous, emphasizing civic knowledge and English proficiency.

Image by Gulbenk.

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Plane Crashes in Fireball on Runway, NASCAR Legend Feared Dead.

PULSE POINTS

WHAT HAPPENED: A plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport, with reports of fatalities.

👤WHO WAS INVOLVED: Local authorities, including the Iredell County Sheriff and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), are investigating.

📍WHEN & WHERE: The crash occurred at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina at approximately 10:15 AM local time.

🎯IMPACT: An investigation is underway, and reports of fatalities have been confirmed by local news outlets. The aircraft is owned by NASCAR legend Greg Biffle.

IN FULL

A private plane crashed at Statesville Regional Airport outside Charlotte, North Carolina, earlier today, resulting in reports of fatalities. The incident occurred at approximately 10:15 AM local time, according to airport officials.

The Iredell County Sheriff confirmed the crash to local news outlet WBTV. While the exact number of people aboard the aircraft is not yet known, images from the scene depict a significant fireball erupting at the crash site. However, flight tracking data suggests the plane was a 1981 Cessna Citation II with the tail number “N257BW.” This aircraft is owned by semi-retired NASCAR legend Greg “The Biff” Biffle, and unconfirmed local reports suggest he was on board with his wife and children.

Notably, Biffle flew volunteer search and rescue missions and delivered aid using his private helicopter in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene in North Carolina. He was also known to engage in similar life-saving efforts in the wake of local flooding and other natural disasters in the region.

A video shared on social media shows smoke visible for miles following the crash. Additionally, the Statesville Regional Airport has confirmed the crash and stated that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will lead the investigation into the incident.

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