Tuesday, September 1, 2026

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New Jersey AG Announces Election Fraud Charges Against Two Dems.

New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin is bringing multiple criminal charges against two Democrats – Alex Mendez and Dr. Henrilynn Ibezim – over alleged election fraud in state elections between 2020 and 2021.

Mendez, President of Paterson City Council, is facing a set of fresh charges relating to mail-in-ballot election fraud after he already faced charges in June 2020 and February 2021.

Platkin alleges Mendez collected a large number of ballots from households in violation of New Jersey state law as candidates cannot themselves collect and return ballots for the district in which they are running. The attorney general’s office also claims Mendez’s campaign actively destroyed and replaced ballots if they did not support him, and that he completed ballots if left uncompleted, among a number of other things.

Mendez has been charged with conspiracy to commit election fraud, fraud in casting mail-in votes, unauthorized possession of ballots, tampering with public records, forgery, and falsifying records.

“We allege that Mendez and his associates unlawfully collected ballots and tampered with ballots to give him an unfair edge in the race for the 3rd Ward seat on the Paterson City Council” before “He… allegedly set about undermining our investigation into his and his campaign workers’ unlawful activities,” stated Thomas Eicher, the Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability.

Ibezim, who stood as a candidate in a Plainfield mayoral election in 2021, has been charged with allegedly directing associates to fill out blank registration applications and bringing nearly 1,000 to a post office. He also allegedly arrived at a post office on “May 18, 2021, carrying a large white garbage bag” believed to be holding registration applications.

Ibezim “allegedly resorted to fraud in an alleged attempt to unfairly prevail in this election. This desperate attempt to artificially and illegally inflate support for his candidacy was designed to not only cheat his political opponents out of a victory, but also to cheat the people of Plainfield out of their right to choose their elected officials,” stated Eicher upon announcing the charges.

By Popular Demand.
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Supreme Court Allows Construction of Trump’s White House Ballroom and Military Complex to Continue.

The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of allowing construction on President Trump’s White House ballroom to continue, after a lower court’s attempt to halt the project.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The U.S. Supreme Court ruled 5-4 to allow construction on President Donald J. Trump’s $400 million White House ballroom and military complex to continue on Monday, overturning a lower court’s decision to halt the project. The ruling permits the 90,000-square-foot project to proceed despite ongoing legal challenges, which could potentially still result in the project being halted at a later date.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: The decision was issued by the Supreme Court on Monday after a previous ruling from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit attempted to halt construction on the White House campus.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I am pleased to report that the United States Supreme Court has just ruled in favor of the Ballroom/Military Complex being built without any further contingency, doubt, or threat. We are living in the Golden Age of America, and this Building will be one of the Greatest ever constructed in Washington, D.C. When completed in the Summer of 2028, the magnificent Ballroom and Military Complex will be something that the entire Country is very proud of. The Project, despite the baseless lawsuit brought by the so-called National Trust for Historic Preservation of the United States, which is not in any way affiliated with the United States Government, is under budget and ahead of schedule. The Ballroom is totally funded by Great Patriots and Corporations and, therefore, is a Gift — At no cost to the American Taxpayer,” wrote President Trump in a Truth Social post responding to the ruling.
🎯 IMPACT: The ruling allows the 250-person construction crew to continue working around the clock, advancing a project that has become a focal point of legal and political debate. However, the case may eventually return to the Supreme Court for a final decision.
📺 DETAIL: The ballroom, which replaces the East Wing demolished last fall, has faced opposition from anti-Trump groups who argue that such major renovations require additional Congressional approval. The Trump administration appealed to the Supreme Court after the D.C. Circuit Court ruled 2-1 in favor of halting construction. Justices Clarence Thomas, Samuel Alito, Neil Gorsuch, Brett Kavanaugh, and Amy Coney Barrett sided with Trump, while Chief Justice John Roberts joined the liberal justices in dissent.

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The Supreme Court ruled 5-4 in favor of allowing construction on President Trump's White House ballroom to continue, after a lower court's attempt to halt the project.

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By Popular Demand.
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Lax Biden-Era Policies on Migrant Truckers Killed Over 200 Americans: DHS.

Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the loosening of regulations governing migrant truck drivers under former President Joe Biden for causing “hundreds” of deaths.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Secretary for Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin has attributed over 200 deaths caused by migrant trucker drivers to policies implemented by the Biden government.
📺 DETAIL: Secretary Mullin accused the Biden government of enabling unqualified migrant drivers to operate 18-wheelers without proper testing. He attributed 239 deaths caused by migrant truck drivers to the Biden government’s policies. “These individuals are dangerous, and because of the failure from the previous administration, from the Biden administration, they’ve killed hundreds of people, and unfortunately injured thousands,” said Secretary Mullin during a press conference on Monday. When a reporter suggested that the number of deaths caused by unqualified migrant truckers was relatively small, the DHS chief pointed to an injured girl on the side of the stage and replied, “Are you saying one percent is okay? Because… Every single illegal that maims or kills an individual is 100 percent preventable. I’m trying to prevent every one of them. I don’t care if it’s a fraction of one percent—I’m coming after you.”
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Thank God, President Trump was elected by the American people to restore law and order and safety back onto our streets. Because one death, one permanent injury, is one too many, and it was 100 percent preventable. Who, in the Biden administration, thought it was a great idea to put people on the streets that couldn’t read our road signs, driving 80,000-pound rigs, without even having to take an English test or a driving test?” – Markwayne Mullin
🎯 IMPACT: This closely follows plans announced by the Department of Transportation (DOT) earlier this month to make mandatory English proficiency tests for commercial truck drivers permanent. This represents a reversal of former President Barack Obama’s decision to reverse a standard from 1937 requiring English proficiency, to ensure that truck drivers could understand road signs, safety protocols, and law enforcement.

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Officials from the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) criticized the loosening of regulations governing migrant truck drivers under former President Joe Biden for causing "hundreds" of deaths.

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By Popular Demand.
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Ex-UK PM Starmer Resigns from Parliament.

Former British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation from the House of Commons, following his ouster by supporters of his successor, Andy Burnham.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Former British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced he is stepping down as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Holborn and St Pancras, after being forced out of office by fellow Labour MPs shaken by the party’s heavy losses to Nigel Farage’s Reform UK party in May’s local elections. In a statement, Starmer explained that it was the “right time” to pass on the role to a successor, despite having previously pledged to remain in Parliament until the next election.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: Starmer announced his decision on Tuesday following his resignation as Labour leader in June and Andy Burnham’s subsequent election as Labour leader in July 2026.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “I have decided that now is the right time to step down as MP for Holborn and St Pancras and hand the baton over to a successor,” Starmer said, claiming that he will now focus on international affairs and tackling violence against women and girls.
🎯 IMPACT: Starmer’s resignation will trigger a by-election (special election) in his Holborn and St Pancras constituency (electoral district), with the Labour Party set to select a new candidate. Reform has already committed to contesting the seat.
📺 DETAIL: Starmer led the Labour Party into a historic election victory in 2024 after 14 years in opposition. However, he achieved this on a low turnout, with fewer total votes than the party received in 2019, when it was heavily defeated by the formerly governing Conservatives (Tories). His short premiership is attributable largely to a collapse in support for the Tories, who presided over the massive “Boriswave” surge in mass migration under former Prime Ministers Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak, despite repeated promises to substantially reduce immigration.

Image by Simon Dawson / No 10 Downing Street.

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Former British Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer has announced his resignation from the House of Commons, following his ouster by supporters of his successor, Andy Burnham.

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By Popular Demand.
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DATA: Majority of Voters Alarmed by Rise of Socialism and Communism in America.

A new poll has revealed that over 60 percent of Americans are concerned about the increasing influence of socialism and communism in the United States, even sparking concerns among a large portion of Democrats.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A majority of American voters are concerned about the growth of socialism and communism in the United States, according to a new poll.
📺 DETAIL: According to a new poll by Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, a recurring national opinion poll, 63 percent of Americans are concerned about the rise of socialism and communism in U.S. politics. Specifically, 36 percent are “very concerned” and 27 percent are “somewhat concerned.” Only 13 percent are “not at all concerned,” while 16 percent “aren’t too concerned.” The poll was conducted by Noble Predictive Insights and surveyed 2,533 registered voters across party lines, including 930 Republicans, 930 Democrats, and 673 Independents. This includes 330 “true independents,” i.e. registered Independents who do not lean towards either party. The poll was conducted between August 12 and August 16. The poll’s margin of error is +/- 2.0%. This follows a series of high-profile victories for the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), a far-left political organization, and far-left candidates more broadly in Democrat primaries. Notably, the Center Square Voters’ Voice Poll, 49 percent of Democrats expressed concern about the rise of socialism, while 40 percent were not concerned.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “The Democratic Party is becoming the party of socialism. Fifty-eight percent view socialism positively. 50 percent view capitalism negatively. I’m a proud free market capitalist. This is lunacy,” posted Senator Fetterman (D-PA) on X (formerly Twitter) earlier this month in reference to a similar poll, which revealed that Democrats have a more positive view of socialism than capitalism.
🎯 IMPACT: This poll highlights the growing influence of socialism and communism in the U.S. as advanced by groups like the DSA, as well as DSA-backed Democrats, and DSA-adjacent Democrats, such as Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY), who officially re-joined the DSA earlier this month. This poll echoes previous findings published throughout the year. Back in July, it was revealed that one-third of Democrats now identify as democratic socialists. However, while it is clear that support for socialism and communism has grown within the Democratic Party, far-left ideologies remain widely unpopular. For instance, despite New York City’s election of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, who is a member of the DSA, a poll published earlier this month found that only 30 percent of people in New York state support the organization.

Image by Alexander Popadin.

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A new poll has revealed that over 60 percent of Americans are concerned about the increasing influence of socialism and communism in the United States, even sparking concerns among a large portion of Democrats.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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‘Explosive Diarrhea’ Parasite Confirmed to Have Sickened 17,000 Americans, Over 500 Hospitalized.

A major cyclosporiasis outbreak attributed to contaminated lettuce imported from Mexico has sickened over 17,000 people, according to recent data from the CDC.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported over 17,000 confirmed cases of cyclosporiasis in the United States.
📺 DETAIL: According to the CDC, over 17,180 cases of cyclosporiasis have been confirmed in the U.S. The CDC also confirmed that 11,844 cases are still under investigation. The CDC also confirmed that 517 people have been hospitalized as a result of the outbreak. The parasite, Cyclospora, causes severe gastrointestinal symptoms and spreads through contaminated food or water. Symptoms can last for several weeks. According to recent data, Michigan and Ohio are the most affected states, with the former reporting two deaths. The parasite was traced to lettuce from Taylor Farms imported from Mexico back in July. The lettuce was distributed to Taco Bell restaurants in the U.S. The outbreak has resulted in the recall of lettuce across 27 states. Other potential sources remain under investigation.
💬 KEY QUOTE:It looks like things are slowing down,” wrote Katelyn Jetelina, Assistant Professor Adjunct of Epidemiology at Yale School of Public Health, while warning that “the true number of cases and direction remain nearly impossible to know given our fragmented data infrastructure in the U.S.”
🎯 IMPACT: The new data follows a report from earlier this month that the parasite had spread to three more states: Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. This represents an increase from the previously reported 11,458 cases. The report’s emphasis on Ohio suggests that the parasite has managed to gain a foothold in the wider Midwest.

Image by Raed Mansour.

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A major cyclosporiasis outbreak attributed to contaminated lettuce imported from Mexico has sickened over 17,000 people, according to recent data from the CDC.

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By Popular Demand.
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New York’s Dem Governor Dons Hijab Ahead of 9/11 Anniversary.

Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to wear a hijab at an Islamic center event has sparked criticism for hypocrisy in light of Democrats’ frequent comparisons of conservative values to The Handmaid’s Tale.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: New York Governor Kathy Hochul (D) drew criticism on social media after donning a hijab to address Muslim religious and community leaders at an Islamic center on Friday. The appearance came as the nation prepares to mark the 25th anniversary of the September 11 terrorist attacks, prompting Republican Representative Brandon Gill of Texas to accuse Democrats of applying a double standard to cultural and religious issues.
📺 DETAIL: Other prominent Democrat feminists, including Hillary Clinton, Nancy Pelosi, Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, and Minnesota Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, have also worn hijabs to appeal to Muslim men. The controversy comes amid years of Democrat rhetoric comparing conservative policies on abortion and other social issues to Margaret Atwood’s novel The Handmaid’s Tale, which depicts a fictional authoritarian society where women are subjected to a Christian theocracy.
💬 KEY QUOTE: “Democrats: ‘Sexist Republicans are turning America into the Handmaid’s Tale!’ Also Democrats:” Rep.Brandon Gill (R-TX) posted on X, alongside an image of Hochul veiling herself for her Muslim audience.
🎯 IMPACT: The controversy could further fuel debate over the way Democrat politicians often abandon their purported values in order to appeal to minority voting blocs, while attacking white social conservatives and traditional Christians. It may also intensify scrutiny of Hochul and other Democrat leaders as they seek support from Muslim voters, particularly ahead of the 25th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks.

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Governor Kathy Hochul’s decision to wear a hijab at an Islamic center event has sparked criticism for hypocrisy in light of Democrats’ frequent comparisons of conservative values to The Handmaid's Tale.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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Annual Multicultural Carnival in Khan’s London Opens with 169 Arrests.

Despite increased security measures, London’s Notting Hill Carnival is once again seeing significant criminal activity, including assaults and stabbings.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: London’s Notting Hill Carnival recorded 169 arrests during the first full day of this year’s two-day celebration, despite a major security operation aimed at reducing crime. The Metropolitan Police deployed around 7,000 officers, barred 330 people from attending, and confiscated dozens of so-called zombie knives.
📺 DETAIL: Authorities said the arrests involved drug and weapons possession, assaults, including attacks on emergency personnel, and sexual offenses. Two separate knife attacks left victims with injuries to their hand and leg, respectively. Firefighters also responded after a van was set ablaze in the Notting Hill area. Police still claim the overall atmosphere was largely positive. Nevertheless, the arrests add to longstanding concerns surrounding public safety at the carnival, with 528 arrests recorded across last year’s event. London Mayor Sadiq Khan, of Britain’s ruling Labour Party, attended Sunday’s festivities and praised the event as “bigger, bolder and more vibrant than ever.” He has not publicly addressed the arrest figures.
🎯 IMPACT: The arrests and reported assaults are likely to intensify criticism of Notting Hill Carnival and raise questions about whether the substantial public spending and expanded police presence are sufficient to maintain public safety or financially worthwhile.

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Despite increased security measures, London's Notting Hill Carnival is once again seeing significant criminal activity, including assaults and stabbings.

show more
By Popular Demand.
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U.S. and Iran Exchange Strikes, Trump Threatens to Blow Iranian Oil Island ‘to Smithereens.’

Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles after an attack by the U.S on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Iran has pushed back against President Donald J. Trump after he posted an AI-generated video showing Iran’s Kharg Island being “blown to smithereens.” This followed genuine strikes by U.S. forces targeting Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) positions on Larak Island, while Hamid Bovard, which Iran answered by launching strikes against U.S.-aligned Jordan and the United Arab Emirates (UAE).
📺 DETAIL: Kharg Island is Iran’s largest crude oil export terminal and handles the vast majority of the Islamic Republic’s seaborne crude exports, making it one of Tehran’s most important economic assets and a potential pressure point in the war. Iran responded to the Larak strikes by launching ballistic missiles at the King Hussein and Al-Azraq airbases in Jordan and dozens of drones toward Al-Minhad Air Base in the UAE. The renewed fighting comes amid escalating U.S. pressure on Iran over its oil exports, sanctions, and the Strait of Hormuz. The Trump administration has attempted to target Iran’s sanctions-busting oil networks and impose economic costs on Tehran, as well as demand reparations for American casualties from the conflict, countering similar demands from Iran. Despite the latest exchanges, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has maintained that Tehran remains interested in a negotiated resolution.
🎯 IMPACT: Kharg Island’s importance means that any genuine attack on its oil infrastructure could have consequences well beyond Iran, potentially tightening global crude supplies and adding further pressure to already volatile energy markets. The renewed U.S.-Iran exchanges also increase the risk that the conflict could spread to American military facilities and allied energy infrastructure across the Gulf.

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Iran launched a wave of ballistic missiles after an attack by the U.S on Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) forces.

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By Popular Demand.
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Whistleblowing Prosecutor Says AG Letitia James Ordered Staff to ‘Find Crimes’ to Stick on Trump and His Associates.

A New York prosecutor claims he was directed to pursue crimes against President Trump and his allies without credible reasons, raising questions about political prosecutions.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: A prosecutor in New York Attorney General Letitia “Tish” James’s office, Daniel Wiesenfeld, sent an email alleging he was instructed to target President Donald J. Trump and his affiliates without credible reasons. The email was quickly deleted from the office’s servers, and Wiesenfeld has been placed on administrative leave.
📰 DETAIL: Wiesenfeld’s Friday email accused his bureau chief of directing him to pursue Trump, Truth Social, and others, including tech firm Hewlett-Packard (HP), “without having a credible reason” to target them. The email also criticized Attorney General James (D) for using taxpayer dollars to target political enemies while ignoring other crimes. James’s office has denied these allegations, claiming that they are committed to upholding the law.
🎯 IMPACT: The allegations highlight the ongoing tensions between James and Trump, with the Democrat having been accused of weaponizing her offices for political gain on numerous occasions. “I ask that you not serve as Tish’s personal attorneys by targeting her political enemies. Instead, I hope you choose to prosecute crimes and find the individuals accountable, rather than targeting individuals and then finding crimes,” Wiesenfeld wrote to colleagues after his first email was deleted.
👀 FLASHBACK: Letitia James has a history of pursuing legal action against Trump, including a 2024 case that resulted in a $360 million penalty, which was later overturned. Trump has often accused James of pursuing politically motivated prosecutions, with Wiesenfeld’s email appearing to support this accusation.

Image by Matt Cohen.

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A New York prosecutor claims he was directed to pursue crimes against President Trump and his allies without credible reasons, raising questions about political prosecutions.

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By Popular Demand.
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Another European Country Has Voted Against EU Membership in a National Referendum.

Voters in Iceland rejected a proposal to resume European Union accession talks, ending a decade-long debate over membership prospects.

PULSE POINTS
❓ WHAT HAPPENED: Icelanders voted 52.8 percent to 47.2 percent against resuming negotiations to join the European Union (EU), effectively shelving any immediate plans for EU membership. The referendum, held more than a decade after talks were initially suspended, reflects the public’s resistance to being submerged within the supranational bloc, despite much of the political class wanting to join it.
📍 WHEN & WHERE: The vote took place over the weekend in Iceland, with the capital of Reykjavik being the only area where a majority supported resuming EU talks.
💬 KEY QUOTE:This isn’t the time to go. Maybe 10, 15, 20 years or more, like, we can take another look,” said Daniel Bjarkason, a voter against the measure.
🎯 IMPACT: The vote ends any immediate prospects of Iceland joining the EU, preserving its sovereignty. The EU demands that members surrender management of certain policy areas to central control, such as tariffs and fishing, with the latter being extremely important to Iceland.   Icelanders. Prior to Brexit, EU management saw the British fishing industry contract significantly, as the bloc distributed quotas for a majority of Britain’s fisheries to foreign trawlers from countries such as France and Spain.
📺 DETAIL: The referendum was expedited by Iceland’s left-leaning government, after President Donald J. Trump was pushing for Greenland to be transferred from Danish to American control. Ironically, Greenland became the first territory to leave the European Economic Community, which preceded the EU in the 1980s, also to protect its fishing industry. Norway and Switzerland have also voted against EU membership in two separate referendums, with Switzerland also voting against the European Economic Area (EEA), conceived as a first step towards full EU membership. The two countries are among the wealthiest in Western Europe per capita.
📺 FLASHBACK: Iceland previously suspended EU accession talks in 2015 under a eurosceptic government. The country of just under 400,000 people has long prided itself on its independence, and it has often been held up as an example of how a small country can thrive without the EU by eurosceptics in countries like the United Kingdom.

Image by Hugi Ólafsson.

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Voters in Iceland rejected a proposal to resume European Union accession talks, ending a decade-long debate over membership prospects.

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By Popular Demand.
The National Pulse Now has an on-site comments section for members. Sign up today and be part of the conversation in our community of almost 15,000.