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Trump Official Resigns In Protest Over War With Iran

By
Madeleine Jackson
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1
By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

On Tuesday morning, a Trump administration official announced his immediate resignation due to the ongoing conflict with Iran.

Joe Kent, the Trump-appointed director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned in protest from his position on Tuesday.

“After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today,” wrote Kent in a letter to Trump, which he also made public on social media:

I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby.

I support the values and the foreign policies that you campaigned on in 2016, 2020, 2024, which you enacted in your first term. Until June of 2025, you understood that the wars in the Middle East were a trap that robbed America of the precious lives of our patriots and depleted the wealth and prosperity of our nation.

In your first administration, you understood better than any modern President how to decisively apply military power without getting us drawn into never-ending wars. You demonstrated this by killing Qasam Solamani and by defeating ISIS.

Early in this administration, high-ranking Israeli officials and influential members of the American media deployed a misinformation campaign that wholly undermined your America First platform and sowed pro-war sentiments to encourage a war with Iran. This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States, and that should you strike now, there was a clear path to a swift victory. This was a lie and is the same tactic the Israelis used to draw us into the disastrous Iraq war that cost our nation the lives of thousands of our best men and women. We cannot make this mistake again.

As a veteran who deployed to combat 11 times and as a Gold Star husband who lost my beloved wife Shannon in a war manufactured by Israel, I cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.

I pray that you will reflect upon what we are doing in Iran, and who we are doing it for. The time for bold action is now. You can reverse course and chart a new path for our nation, or you can allow us to slip further toward decline and chaos. You hold the cards.

It was an honor to serve in your administration and to serve our great nation.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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Trump Says White House Doctors Helped Save Congressman After ‘Terminal’ Diagnosis

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0
Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

President Donald Trump said Monday that White House physicians helped treat Rep. Neal Dunn, a Florida Republican, after the congressman received what Trump described as a “terminal” medical diagnosis — an episode Trump and House Speaker Mike Johnson framed as a dramatic intervention that helped save Dunn’s life.

The president and Johnson recounted the story during remarks at the White House, saying Dunn had continued working in Congress despite what they characterized as a dire prognosis.

“He would be dead by June,” Trump told reporters, describing the severity of the diagnosis Dunn had reportedly received before receiving treatment.

Johnson said the situation came to Trump’s attention after he informed the president about Dunn’s condition. According to Johnson, Trump quickly suggested involving White House medical staff to evaluate the congressman.

“The man has a new lease on life. He acts like he’s 30 years younger,” Johnson said, describing Dunn’s recovery after treatment.

Johnson explained that White House physicians helped coordinate care for the Florida lawmaker and arranged for him to receive treatment at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, the premier military hospital that frequently treats senior government officials and members of Congress.

According to Johnson, Dunn underwent emergency surgery shortly after the White House doctors became involved.

Trump praised the speed and professionalism of the medical team, calling the White House physicians “miracle workers.”

“I said, I have to call them. And I called the two doctors. They’re both great. And they immediately went over to see the congressman, and he was on the operating table like two hours later,” Trump added.

Dunn, who represents Florida’s 2nd Congressional District in the state’s Panhandle, is himself a physician. Before entering politics, he served as an Army surgeon and later worked in private medical practice. His medical background has often shaped his work in Congress, particularly on issues involving healthcare policy and veterans’ services.

First elected in 2016, Dunn has served five terms in the House of Representatives and has been a reliable conservative vote on fiscal issues, national defense, and social policy.

In January, Dunn announced that he would not seek reelection in 2026, signaling the end of his congressional career. At the time, he framed the decision as an opportunity to step away from Washington and spend more time with his family.

“I want to pass the torch to new conservative leaders, return home to Panama City, and spend more precious time with my family and our beloved grandchildren,” Dunn said in a statement announcing his retirement.

He also reflected on his legislative priorities during his time in Congress.

“It has been my greatest honor to fight for lower taxes, our military and veterans, the unborn, healthcare innovation, and policies that empower Americans over bureaucracy and addressing threats from Communist China, Russia and others,” he added.

Dunn’s departure comes during a cycle that is already seeing a significant number of lawmakers opt not to run again. As of mid-March, 60 House members have announced they will not seek reelection in the 2026 election cycle, according to the U.S. House of Representatives Press Gallery’s “Casualty List.”

That total includes 23 Democrats and 37 Republicans.

Several of those lawmakers are leaving to pursue other offices, including gubernatorial and U.S. Senate bids. Others are retiring outright after years in public service.

Among Republicans, some departures have come through electoral defeat. Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Texas, for example, recently lost his primary race to state Rep. Steve Toth.

While Dunn’s decision to retire was announced before the details of his health episode were publicly discussed, the account shared by Trump and Johnson Monday offered new insight into the medical crisis he faced earlier this year — and the role White House doctors played in coordinating the emergency treatment that both men say dramatically improved his outlook.

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Appeals Court Allows Trump Administration to Continue Third-Country Deportations

By
Madeleine Jackson
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A federal appeals court ruled Monday that the Trump administration may continue swiftly deporting migrants while a legal challenge to the policy proceeds.

In a 2–1 decision, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 1st Circuit allowed the deportations to continue and moved to speed up the timeline for the next stage of the case. The panel issued its order without an accompanying explanation.

The Trump administration has expanded the use of “third-country removals” as part of its broader immigration crackdown, deporting migrants to nations other than their countries of origin. The administration has reached agreements with several countries — including Cameroon, South Sudan and Eswatini — to accept deportees.

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has defended the policy as a way to remove individuals it describes as particularly dangerous.

In court filings, the administration has also argued that federal judges lack the authority to intervene in how immigration enforcement policies are carried out.

The majority on the three-judge panel included Judge Jeffrey Howard, nominated by former President George W. Bush, and Judge Seth Aframe, a nominee of former President Joe Biden. Judge Lara Montecalvo, also nominated by Biden, dissented.

The ruling lifts limits imposed by U.S. District Judge Brian Murphy, another Biden nominee, who is overseeing a class-action lawsuit filed last year by four noncitizens challenging the deportation policy.

Murphy ruled last month that the administration could not deport migrants to third countries without first attempting to send them to their country of citizenship or another country with which they have ties.

“It is not fine, nor is it legal,” Murphy wrote in his decision.

His order required immigration authorities to first attempt deportation to a migrant’s country of citizenship or the country normally designated for removal. If that effort failed, Murphy said migrants must be given a “meaningful opportunity” to challenge their deportation once a third country is selected.

Murphy delayed the implementation of his ruling to allow the appeals court time to weigh in. The 1st Circuit’s order keeps his decision on hold while the appeal moves forward.

Trina Realmuto, executive director of the National Immigration Litigation Alliance, which represents the migrants, said the group welcomed the expedited timeline.

“While the order unfortunately delays implementation of the decision, we appreciate that the First Circuit ordered a swift resolution of the merits of the government’s appeal,” Realmuto said.

The dispute has already reached the Supreme Court once. Last year, the Trump administration successfully appealed to the high court after Murphy imposed earlier limits on the policy.

In a statement following Monday’s ruling, a DHS spokesperson said the court’s decision supports the administration’s position.

“The Biden Administration allowed millions of illegal aliens to flood our country, and the Trump Administration has the authority to remove these criminal illegal aliens and clean up this national security nightmare,” the spokesperson said. “If these activist judges had their way, aliens who are so uniquely barbaric that their own countries won’t take them back, including convicted murderers, child rapists and drug traffickers, would walk free on American streets.”

URGENT MISSION: 35 brave House GOP members are in JEOPARDY! Today ONLY, you can donate ANY amount and it will go DIRECTLY to fending off attacks on our 35 brightest MAGA fighters in Congress in these vulnerable districts! [Rush Donation HERE]

Trump Allies Plan Senate Floor Protest To Pass SAVE America Act

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0

President Trump’s allies are preparing to turn the Senate floor into a political pressure cooker this week.

Their target: the Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE America) Act — a bill requiring proof of citizenship to register to vote.

Their strategy: keep the Senate debating it for as long as possible.

That plan sets up a major test for Senate Majority Leader John Thune, who is under intense pressure from Trump and the MAGA base to drag the fight out and force Democrats to defend their opposition in public.

Republicans are keeping their exact floor strategy under wraps. But one thing is clear: they’re expecting long days, late nights, and a drawn-out showdown.

“This is about exhausting Democrats,” one Republican strategist said bluntly. “The point is pain.”

The goal, he added, is simple: force a public confrontation and see who cracks.

“Is this going to be a fistfight or not? How bloody is Thune going to make this?”

Sen. Mike Lee, one of the bill’s leading champions, says Trump wants Republicans to go all-in. Lee has even pointed to the Senate’s legendary two-month battle over the Civil Rights Act of 1964 as a model.

“What I want to do is maximize the time we debate it,” Lee said.

Back in 1964, he noted, supporters faced a 32-vote cloture deficit when the bill arrived in the Senate. Sixty days later, they had the votes. Lee believes extended debate can work the same way here — by raising public pressure and forcing reluctant lawmakers to reconsider.

Meanwhile, Trump is watching closely. The former president has already warned he won’t sign other legislation until the SAVE Act reaches his desk. Whether he’s satisfied with the Senate fight, Lee said, depends on one thing: whether Republicans “gave it everything we have.”

But there’s a catch.

Thune is already warning that the votes simply aren’t there for some of the more aggressive tactics Trump’s allies want — including forcing Democrats into a “talking filibuster.”

Some Republicans are wary anyway. A talking filibuster could backfire by allowing Democrats to force politically painful amendment votes — including votes on restoring Medicaid cuts or extending Obamacare subsidies. So instead of forcing Democrats to hold the floor indefinitely, Thune appears likely to let Republicans do the talking — keeping the bill on the floor long enough to turn the debate itself into a political weapon.

Democrats say they’re ready.

“We’re prepared for every possible scenario,” Senate Leader Chuck Schumer (D) said Sunday.

His caucus views the SAVE Act as a major threat to voting rights. Some Republicans believe Democrats could filibuster the bill for weeks — or even months — by introducing a constant stream of amendments. Which is why the next few days may not just be about passing legislation.

They may be about staging a Senate spectacle.

As Lee put it:

“This bill needs to stay on the floor for as long as it takes.”

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Report: White House Chief Of Staff Diagnosed With Cancer

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0

On Monday, President Trump revealed White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles has been diagnosed with early stage breast cancer.

“She has a fantastic medical team and her prognosis is excellent,” Trump said in a Truth Social post.

Trump went on to call Wiles “one of my closest and most important advisors.” 

“Melania and I are with her in every way, and we look forward to working with Susie on the many big and wonderful things that are happening for the benefit of our Country!” the president said.

This is a breaking news story. Please check back for updates.

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Report: Growing Coalition Of Republicans Quietly Turning Their Sights On Rubio For 2028

By
Madeleine Jackson
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President Donald Trump gestures to the crowd after delivering remarks at the House GOP Member Retreat, Tuesday, January 6, 2026, at the Donald J. Trump- John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. (Official White House Photo by Daniel Torok)

A year ago, the path appeared clear for Vice President JD Vance to emerge as the heir apparent to President Donald Trump and the MAGA movement heading into the 2028 election.

Vance, who was just 40 years old at the time of the 2024 election, entered office with a wave of support from Republicans and the strong backing of Trump’s family. Early in the administration, many within the party saw him as the natural successor to Trump.

While the vice president remains well positioned for a likely 2028 run, quiet questions are beginning to emerge about whether his path to the nomination is as inevitable as it once seemed. Much of that speculation centers on the rising profile of Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whose influence within the administration has grown significantly during the first year of Trump’s second term — particularly following the U.S. strikes on Iran.

The long-term political consequences of the conflict remain unclear. But Rubio’s growing visibility has caught the attention of many of Trump’s closest allies — including the president himself. According to multiple sources who spoke with ABC News, Trump has privately remarked on how “popular” and “loved” Rubio has become within the administration.

People close to the president say Trump has repeatedly praised Rubio both publicly and privately. At times, the president has even started standing ovations for him during events and declared that Rubio will go down as “the greatest secretary of state in history.”

Despite the growing speculation, Trump has so far declined to formally endorse either Vance or Rubio as his preferred successor. Instead, he has occasionally floated the idea of the two running together on a joint ticket — without specifying which would lead it.

Behind closed doors, however, Trump has continued to raise the question with allies and donors. According to sources, the president has asked people directly: “Marco or JD?” — including during a discussion with donors at his Mar-a-Lago resort in late February, as first reported by Axios.

‘Draft Rubio’ movement begins to form

As Rubio’s prominence grows, some Republican donors have quietly begun discussing ways to strengthen his political future ahead of the 2028 election.

Multiple sources told ABC News that a group of donors and party figures has started exploring the possibility of organizing a “draft Rubio” effort after the 2026 midterm elections. Those discussions are being driven by supporters and political allies rather than Rubio himself, reflecting what some in Trump-aligned circles see as increasing enthusiasm for the secretary of state within the party.

Still, Republican operatives note that donor enthusiasm does not necessarily determine the eventual nominee.

“Donors don’t pick the nominee — the base picks,” one senior Republican operative told ABC News. “Donors tried to abandon President Trump and tried to pick [Florida Gov. Ron] DeSantis, and we all saw how that went.”

When asked about donor interest in Rubio’s future, White House communications director Steven Cheung downplayed the speculation.

“The President has assembled an all-star team that has achieved unprecedented success in just over one year,” Cheung said in a statement to ABC News. “No amount of crazed media speculation about Vice President Vance and Secretary Rubio will deter this Administration’s mission of fighting for the American people.”

The vice president’s office declined to comment.

Rubio’s Expanding Role in the Administration

Over the course of the administration’s first year, Rubio has steadily taken on a larger role in Trump’s government.

In addition to serving as secretary of state, Rubio has at times taken on other major responsibilities, including acting national security adviser and acting director of the U.S. Agency for International Development. His growing list of assignments has even become something of a running joke around Washington, with some observers wondering what position Rubio might take on next.

His profile rose even further following the administration’s recent military strikes on Iran.

Rubio emerged as one of the leading public voices explaining the operation alongside Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. When Trump authorized the sweeping strikes — known as Operation Epic Fury — Rubio was already traveling to Mar-a-Lago, where he joined the president in a makeshift situation room to monitor the opening hours of the operation.

Meanwhile, Vance remained in Washington during the strikes.

The vice president monitored the operation from the White House Situation Room alongside Energy Secretary Chris Wright, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. They were connected by conference line to Trump and the rest of the national security team at Mar-a-Lago.

A spokesperson for Vance told ABC News that the vice president stayed in Washington “to maintain operational secrecy and in keeping with the administration’s security protocol to limit the President and Vice President co-locating away from the White House.”

During the early days of the conflict, Rubio remained by Trump’s side at Mar-a-Lago, further fueling speculation about his rising influence inside the administration.

At the same time, that higher profile could carry political risks. If Rubio ultimately pursues the presidency, his role in the Iran operation could become a central issue. Early polling suggests the military strikes are unpopular with many Americans. According to an Ipsos poll, just 29% approve of the strikes, while 43% disapprove and 26% remain unsure.

Vance Keeps a Lower Public Profile

In contrast, Vance — a Marine Corps veteran who served in Iraq — maintained a relatively low public profile in the early days of the conflict.

More recently, however, the vice president has begun ramping up both his political and official appearances. On Friday he spoke in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, where he briefly addressed the Iran conflict in remarks to supporters.

Vance has also been noticeably less active on social media platforms like X than in the past.

A senior White House official told ABC News that the administration intentionally limited public messaging during the early stages of the operation.

“The national security team was deliberate on letting the President’s statements and addresses to the nation stand as the operation unfolded,” the official said.

Vance was also scheduled to participate in a town hall with CBS News that was expected to air Saturday, but the broadcast was postponed following the Iran strikes.

Despite the quieter public posture, the vice president remains deeply engaged politically. As finance chair of the Republican National Committee, Vance continues to maintain a busy fundraising schedule, with events planned in Dallas and Austin later this month, according to fundraiser invitations obtained by ABC News.

During a press conference Monday, Trump acknowledged that he and Vance had differed somewhat on the Iran decision.

“I don’t think so. No, no, we get along very well on this,” Trump said. “He was, I would say philosophically a little bit different than me. I think he was maybe less enthusiastic about going, but he was quite enthusiastic. But I felt it was something we had to do. I didn’t feel we had a choice. If we didn’t do it, they would have done it to us.”

Betting Markets Reflect Uncertainty

Prediction markets and betting sites are also reflecting the emerging uncertainty surrounding the 2028 race.

On Kalshi, Rubio recently moved ahead of both Vance and California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) to become the market’s top choice to succeed Trump. Kalshi traders currently give Rubio a 19% chance of winning the 2028 election, with both Vance and Newsom at 18%.

On Polymarket, however, Vance remains the favorite with a 21% chance, followed by Newsom at 18% and Rubio at 16%.

Traditional betting markets still place Vance slightly ahead as well. DraftKings lists Vance at +376 to win the presidency, meaning a $100 bet would yield $376 if he wins. Newsom stands at +426, while Rubio is listed at +488.

On BetMGM, Vance is seen as roughly twice as likely to win, with odds of +350 compared to Rubio’s +700.

For now, the 2028 race remains wide open — but Rubio’s growing prominence inside the Trump administration has begun to complicate what once looked like a straightforward path for Vice President JD Vance.

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Cuban President Confirms Talks With Trump Administration as Pressure Mounts on Havana

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0
(Miami - Flórida, 09/03/2020) Presidente da República Jair Bolsonaro durante encontro com o Senador Marco Rubio..Foto: Alan Santos/PR

After weeks of rumors, Cuba has finally admitted it’s talking to the Trump administration.

President Miguel Díaz-Canel confirmed Friday that his government is negotiating with U.S. officials to address “bilateral differences” and explore possible cooperation.

The talks are being led by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, whom President Trump has tapped to press Havana for major changes — or potentially oversee what Trump has described as a “friendly” takeover of the island’s communist government.

Pressure on Cuba has ramped up dramatically this year.

In January, the United States effectively cut off fuel shipments to the island after a surprise U.S. military operation removed Venezuelan strongman Nicolás Maduro from power and brought him to the United States to face drug-trafficking charges.

With Venezuelan oil gone, Cuba has been hit by rolling blackouts and a worsening economic crisis.

Díaz-Canel acknowledged the negotiations in carefully worded remarks, saying “international factors” helped facilitate the discussions.

He framed the talks as an effort to identify disputes between the two countries and determine whether cooperation is possible.

But the stakes are much larger.

The Trump administration has openly predicted the collapse of Cuba’s 67-year-old communist system under mounting economic pressure. Trump himself has said the United States could ultimately take over the island — “friendly” or otherwise.

Behind the scenes, officials are reportedly exploring a broad deal: sanctions relief in exchange for economic openings and possible cooperation on ports, tourism and energy.

Another potential sweetener: allowing more Americans to travel to Havana, though that would likely require congressional approval.

One especially striking detail reportedly under discussion — an off-ramp that would allow Díaz-Canel and members of the Castro family to remain in Cuba even if political changes reshape the government.

For now, Díaz-Canel is calling the negotiations “a very sensitive process.”

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US Olympian Gives Trump Award For Defending Women’s Sports

By
Madeleine Jackson
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1
By 121a0012 - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=162699052

Olympic bobsled champion Kaillie Humphries made a surprising gesture at the White House Thursday: she handed President Donald Trump her Order of Ikkos medal.

And she did it with tears in her eyes.

The moment came during a Women’s History Month event on March 12, when Humphries said she wanted to thank Trump for standing up for women’s sports.

“I want to recognize the support and the impact you’ve had on women’s sports throughout the Olympic movement — specifically standing up to keep biological women in women’s sports, to keep the field of play safe and allow for fair competition,” she said.

Humphries explained that every Olympic medalist receives an Order of Ikkos, a medal designed to honor someone who helped them reach the podium.

Athletes usually give it to a coach or mentor.

Humphries chose a president.

“So we only get one,” she told Trump before presenting the medal.

“I’m so honored to present this, my Order of Ikkos medal, to you, Donald Trump.”

Trump lit up at the gesture.

“Wow! I knew I liked her!” he said.

Humphries also pointed to the administration’s support for IVF, saying policies expanding access to fertility treatments could help her grow her family.

“I believe this actually makes you the first president in history to ever be awarded an Order of Ikkos as well,” she added.

Watch:

Trump signed an executive order in February titled “Keeping Men Out of Women’s Sports,” aimed at preventing biological males from competing in women’s sports governed by Title IX.

The Order of Ikkos program was created in 2008 by the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committee to recognize people who played a pivotal role in an athlete’s success.

Humphries recently won two bronze medals at the 2026 Milan-Cortina Winter Olympics, bringing her career total to six medals — three gold and three bronze.

Turning Point is funding the largest ballot-chasing operation in U.S. history to win key battleground states. Our grassroots army is already in the field for 2026 and beyond. But they can’t stay there without your support. Donate today to help win the midterms, protect the America First movement, and keep conservatives in power.

Trump Threatens New Attacks on Iran as U.S. Ramps Up Largest Strike Campaign Yet

By
Madeleine Jackson
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1
The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump warned Friday that the United States could intensify its military campaign against Iran, boasting of America’s military strength and threatening further attacks that could devastate Tehran’s remaining capabilities.

In an early morning post on Truth Social, Trump said the U.S. military has overwhelming power and signaled that additional strikes were imminent.

“We have unparalleled firepower, unlimited ammunition, and plenty of time – Watch what happens to these deranged scumbags today,” the president wrote.

“They’ve been killing innocent people all over the world for 47 years, and now I, as the 47th President of the United States of America, am killing them,” he continued. “What a great honor it is to do so!”

According to U.S. Central Command (Centcom), American forces have struck approximately 6,000 Iranian targets since the conflict began at the end of February. U.S. operations have also hit or sunk more than 90 Iranian vessels during the campaign.

Trump’s remarks come as tensions escalate following threats from Iran’s new leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, who assumed power after his father was killed in a U.S.-Israeli strike.

In his first public statement since taking power, Khamenei vowed retaliation against American forces in the region. His message came amid reports that he had been severely injured during the strike that killed his father, with speculation circulating that he had been in a coma and had part of his leg amputated. Khamenei also reportedly lost his wife in the same attack.

In a statement read by Iranian state media, Khamenei warned that Iran would escalate the conflict if necessary.

“The Strait of Hormuz must remain closed. American bases in the Middle East must be closed,” he said. “Iran’s other military and regional capabilities will be activated if necessary.”

Trump responded to the threat during an interview with Fox News commentator Brian Kilmeade, saying Iran’s leadership has done “a lot of talking” but may soon be forced to act.

“We’ll have to see because we are decimating them,” the president said. “We’ve knocked out most of their missiles. We’ve knocked out many of their drones. We knocked out a lot of the manufacturing areas where they manufacture the missiles and now the drones. We’re hitting them harder than anybody’s been hit since World War II.”

The president also said he believes Iran’s new supreme leader is still alive despite reports of severe injuries.

“I think he probably is. I think he’s damaged, but I think he’s probably alive in some form, yeah,” Trump told Kilmeade in an interview set to air Friday morning.

Senior U.S. officials echoed Trump’s assessment that Iran’s leadership has been severely weakened.

Secretary of War Pete Hegseth said Friday that Khamenei “lacks legitimacy” and suggested the new leader is in hiding following the strikes that killed his father.

“Iran’s leadership is in no better shape. Desperate and hiding, they’ve gone underground, cowering. That’s what rats do. We know the new so-called not so supreme leader is wounded and likely disfigured,” Hegseth said at the Pentagon.

“He put out a statement yesterday. A weak one, actually, but there was no voice. And there was no video. It was a written statement,” Hegseth continued.

“He called for unity, apparently killing tens of thousands of protesters is his kind of unity. Iran has plenty of cameras and plenty of voice recorders. Why a written statement? I think you know why. His father dead. He’s scared, he’s injured, he’s on the run and he lacks legitimacy.”

Hegseth also indicated that the United States was preparing to significantly expand its military operations Friday.

“Today will be yet again the highest volume of strikes that America has put over the skies of Iran and Tehran,” he said.

“The number of sorties, the number of bomber pulses, the highest yet, ramping up and only up.”

U.S. officials say the sustained campaign has dramatically degraded Iran’s military capabilities.

“Iran has no air defenses. Iran has no air force. Iran has no navy,” Hegseth said earlier. “Their missiles, their missile launchers and drones being destroyed or shot out of the sky. Their missile volume is down 90%. Their one way attack drones yesterday, down 95%.”

“And as the world is seeing, they are exercising sheer desperation in the Straits of Hormuz. It’s something we’re dealing with. We have been dealing with it and don’t need to worry about it. We’re on plan to defeat, destroy, disable all of their meaningful military capabilities at a pace the world has never seen before,” he added.

The strategic waterway has become a focal point of the conflict. About one-fifth of the world’s oil supply passes through the Strait of Hormuz.

U.S. Central Command said American forces destroyed 16 Iranian mine-laying vessels near the strait earlier this week as Iran attempted to disrupt shipping through the crucial route.

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Actress Fires Back at Critics Over Attendance at Mar-a-Lago Dog Rescue Event

By
Madeleine Jackson
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Marine One lifts-off after returning President Donald J. Trump to Mar-a-Lago Friday, March 29, 2019, following his visit to the 143-mile Herbert Hoover Dike near Canal Point, Fla., that surrounds Lake Okeechobee. The visit was part of an infrastructure inspection of the dike, which is part of the Kissimmee-Okeechobee Everglades system, and reduces impacts of flooding for areas of south Florida. (Official White House Photo by Joyce N. Boghosian) [Photo Credit: The White House from Washington, DC, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons]

Actress Katherine Heigl is pushing back against critics who took issue with her appearance at a dog rescue fundraiser held at Mar-a-Lago, the Palm Beach estate of President Donald Trump, arguing the event was focused entirely on animal welfare rather than politics.

Heigl attended the Wine, Women & Shoes Benefiting Big Dog Ranch Rescue fundraiser on Sunday at Trump’s Florida residence. According to the organization, the event raised $5.5 million to support its work rescuing, rehabilitating and rehoming dogs.

But her appearance quickly drew backlash online from critics who objected to her participation in an event held at the home of the former and current Republican president. The criticism reflects a broader dynamic in the country’s polarized political climate, where public figures often face scrutiny simply for appearing at venues associated with Trump or his allies.

In recent years, commentators on the right have frequently used the phrase “Trump Derangement Syndrome” (TDS) to describe what they view as an outsized or reflexive hostility toward Trump and anything connected to him. Supporters argue the phenomenon leads some critics to condemn even non-political activities if they occur in proximity to Trump or his properties, while detractors of the term say it is used to dismiss legitimate concerns about the former president.

Heigl appeared to push back against the idea that politics should overshadow charitable work.

“Animals don’t vote. The only room they don’t like is the euthanasia room at a shelter,” Heigl said in a statement to Page Six. “They are completely at the mercy of us, and they have no voice of their own.”

“This event was about animal advocacy — something that has always been deeply personal to me,” she continued. “Anyone who knows me knows that protecting animals is one of my greatest passions.”

She also urged people not to turn animal welfare into a partisan issue.

“As a society, we should all come together to protect the voiceless and the innocent,” she added. “This should not be a polarizing issue.”

The actress also responded directly to critics on Instagram after the event circulated online. Some commenters questioned why she would attend a fundraiser held at Trump’s home, while others mocked or dismissed her involvement.

When one commenter wrote, “Who even is she?” Heigl replied:

“Doesn’t matter. Do you care about animals? If so donate! Time! Money! Attention! Your voice! It doesn’t matter who I am only what I do.”

She followed up with another response encouraging people to focus on causes they care about rather than online criticism.

“The same goes for you! Animals might not be your thing but I bet you care deeply about something that matters! Do your part! Don’t waste your time scrolling and making comments!”

Heigl, best known for her roles in “Grey’s Anatomy,” “Knocked Up,” and “27 Dresses,” has long been active in animal rescue efforts. She and her mother co-founded the Jason Debus Heigl Foundation, named after her late brother, which works to rescue dogs and cats and fund spay-and-neuter programs.

In recent years, the actress has stepped back somewhat from Hollywood life. In a 2023 interview on the “Today” show, Heigl said she relocated with her family to Utah after spending much of her career in Los Angeles.

“I think some people are mountain people, and I think some people are beach people,” Heigl explained. “I’m sort of a mountain person and have always been that way.”

She said the move helped provide balance after years in the entertainment industry.

“And my mom realized, because we went out to LA when I was 17 and hustled and hustled for years, right?” Heigl continued. “And I think she realized at a certain point that I needed somewhere to escape to and kind of clear my head, and that grounded me.”

Despite the controversy surrounding the Mar-a-Lago fundraiser, Heigl made clear that her focus remains on the charitable mission behind the event — helping animals that cannot advocate for themselves.

FROM THE DESK OF DONALD TRUMP JR. Democrats tried to rig the census by counting millions of illegal immigrants — giving blue states more power in Congress. Now we’re making sure only American citizens are counted. But first, we need to verify our own records. CONFIRM YOUR VOTER INFORMATION NOW.
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