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Trump Calls To Revoke Licenses After Refusing To Air Primetime Speech

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The White House, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

President Donald Trump unloaded on ABC and NBC after the broadcast giants refused to interrupt their regular programming for his primetime election-integrity address Thursday, accusing the networks of helping conceal what he described as a massive threat to American elections.

“They and others in the media are part of a plot,” Trump declared during the White House address. “They want to continue this fraud for whatever reason. They want to keep it going. They want to protect the radical left.”

Trump then called for the revocation of broadcast licenses associated with the networks, arguing that media companies receive access to valuable public airwaves while failing to provide Americans with honest coverage.

“Fraud like this should mean a revocation of their licenses,” Trump said. “They use our public multi-billion-dollar-in-value airways for absolutely no money.”

The president added that the country could not succeed without “free and fair elections” or honest reporting.

ABC and NBC declined to preempt their normal television lineups for the address, although both carried it on their streaming platforms. ABC also aired it through its radio network, while NBC broadcast a special report after Trump finished speaking.

Fox carried the entire speech live. CBS aired part of it before cutting away, while MS NOW interrupted its coverage to fact-check Trump. CNN declined to carry the address on its television network.

CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins said the network would monitor Trump’s remarks but would not take them live because of what she called his “well-documented history of saying blatantly false things about elections.”

White House communications director Steven Cheung accused ABC and NBC of deliberately keeping viewers in the dark.

“Cowards. NBC and ABC don’t want you to hear the truth,” Cheung wrote on X before the speech. “All they want to do is hide the facts from YOU.”

Networks do not directly hold the licenses Trump targeted; the Federal Communications Commission licenses individual broadcast stations and affiliates. Any revocation would also require a formal proceeding. The FCC has already ordered eight Disney-owned ABC stations to submit early license-renewal applications as part of an investigation into the company’s compliance with federal broadcasting regulations. The agency announced that action in April.

Thursday’s network showdown threatened to overshadow the explosive allegations at the center of Trump’s address.

The president announced the declassification and release of intelligence documents that he said revealed “shocking vulnerabilities” in America’s election infrastructure.

Trump alleged that China acquired approximately 220 million American voter files containing names, addresses, telephone numbers, party affiliations and other sensitive information beginning during the 2020 election cycle.

“This data loss presents an unprecedented election security nightmare,” Trump warned.

Trump further accused members of the intelligence community of suppressing information about the breach and keeping it from both him and Congress during his first administration.

The president also highlighted what he described as evidence of fraudulent voter-registration applications uncovered during a 2020 investigation in Muskegon, Michigan. Trump alleged that the Biden Justice Department “slow-walked the investigation and killed it” and called on the FBI and Justice Department to reopen the case and prosecute anyone responsible for criminal activity.

Trump then cited a Department of Homeland Security review that he said identified approximately 278,000 noncitizens registered to vote in federal elections.

Because several Democratic-led states did not provide their voter files, Trump argued, “the real number is actually much higher than that.”

Trump said he had directed DHS to notify states about suspected noncitizens on their rolls and press election officials to remove ineligible registrants.

The president used the findings to renew his demand that Congress pass the SAVE America Act, which would require photo identification and proof of citizenship from voters. Trump also called for tight restrictions on mail-in ballots, with exceptions for military deployments, illness, disability and travel.

“The only reason you wouldn’t do it is you want to cheat,” Trump said of lawmakers resisting the legislation.

Trump concluded by urging Americans to call their representatives and demand immediate action.

“Together, we will restore faith and confidence in our country,” he said, “and we will be bigger, better and stronger than ever before.”

Trump’s presentation did not establish that China or another foreign power changed vote totals or altered the outcome of the 2020 election. New reports that the documents released by the White House included portions of intelligence analyses, investigative files and correspondence presented with limited context.

But Trump’s broader message Thursday was unmistakable: The country’s election system remains dangerously exposed—and the media outlets that refused to carry his warning could now find themselves in the administration’s crosshairs.

ICE Detains Canadian Woman Accused Of Slapping Teen Over Trump Gear At Jersey Shore

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By U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement - https://www.ice.gov/about-ice/ero, Public Domain,

A Canadian woman accused of slapping a teenage girl because she was wearing pro-Trump clothing at the Jersey Shore has landed in the custody of the very agency featured on the teen’s outfit.

Kaitlyn E. Tracey, 33, is being held by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) after police say she assaulted a 16-year-old girl during a Fourth of July weekend confrontation on the Point Pleasant Beach boardwalk. ICE records show Tracey is currently being held at the Delaney Hall detention facility in Newark.

According to NJ.com, the incident unfolded after Tracey allegedly approached a group of teenagers while recording them with her cellphone. Police say she took issue with the group’s “patriotic colored sweatpants with political wording,” including pants displaying the words “Trump” and “ICE.”

Investigators allege Tracey then “slapped the victim across her face and body.”

The Point Pleasant Beach Police Department said surveillance video captured Tracey allegedly “striking the juvenile female, once to the body and once to the face, with an open hand” before fleeing the scene.

Authorities later identified Tracey through surveillance footage and other investigative methods before taking her into custody. She has been charged with endangering the welfare of a child, simple assault, harassment and obstruction.

The case took another turn when federal immigration authorities became involved.

According to reports, Tracey entered the United States from Canada in 2024 but remained after her authorized stay expired, making her subject to immigration enforcement.

A Department of Homeland Security official told the New York Post that the case reflects the Trump administration’s enforcement policy.

“Illegal aliens who break our laws will be arrested and deported,” the official said, confirming Tracey is being held in ICE custody pending immigration proceedings.

On Tuesday, a man identifying himself as Tracey’s husband posted an emotional video on social media announcing that she had been detained.

“Yesterday, July 13, my wife was detained by ICE and brought to Delaney Hall in North New Jersey,” he said.

He has since argued that the confrontation has been exaggerated, telling NJ.com, “This whole situation has been blown out of proportion and a person like Kate does not belong in any facility.”

Although he acknowledged he was not present during the incident, he insisted his wife was not the aggressor and blamed online backlash for drawing national attention to the case.

The allegations have fueled widespread reaction online because of the apparent irony that the woman accused of attacking a teenager over clothing supporting Trump and ICE ultimately ended up in ICE custody herself.

Tracey is expected to appear in New Jersey court to face the criminal charges while separate immigration proceedings determine whether she will be deported to Canada.

Nancy Mace Says Rift With Trump May Have Ended Her Political Career

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Donald Trump via Gage Skidmore Flickr

Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) says her public break with President Donald Trump may have permanently damaged her political future, acknowledging that the fallout could have brought her elected career to an end.

Mace made the remarks Monday during an appearance on NewsNation with host Chris Cuomo, where she was asked about her next move following the death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) and the race to fill his vacant Senate seat.

The comments come just weeks after Mace suffered a disappointing finish in South Carolina’s Republican gubernatorial primary, where she placed fifth after Trump endorsed Lt. Gov. Pamela Evette instead of her campaign.

Epstein files became a flashpoint

Mace’s latest split with Trump centered on the release of files related to convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.

Last year, Mace joined a small group of House Republicans in signing a discharge petition that forced a vote on legislation requiring the Department of Justice to release its Epstein files. The law directed the DOJ to make the records public with only victims’ identities redacted.

Congress ultimately approved the measure, and Trump signed it into law. The president had the authority to release the files administratively but instead signed the legislation after it passed both chambers.

The issue became the latest chapter in Mace’s often complicated relationship with Trump, which has shifted between alliance and public disagreement over the years.

Trump backed a rival

The political fallout became evident during South Carolina’s gubernatorial race.

In May, Trump declined to endorse Mace and instead threw his support behind Evette in the crowded Republican primary. One month later, Mace finished fifth in the race.

She has already announced she will not seek another term in the House when her current term expires in January.

Senate race questions remain

During Monday’s interview, Cuomo pressed Mace on whether she plans to run in the special election created by Graham’s death.

Earlier in the day, South Carolina Gov. Henry McMaster appointed Graham’s sister, Darline Graham Nordone, to serve the remainder of his Senate term until January. Voters will choose the Republican nominee in a special election on Aug. 11, with the winner advancing to face Democratic nominee Annie Andrews in the general election.

When Cuomo asked directly whether she intended to enter the race, Mace declined to give a clear answer.

“My focus right now is focusing on South Carolina,” she said.

Cuomo then suggested that Mace’s disagreement with Trump over the Epstein files could complicate any Senate campaign.

“But could that be enough to ruin your chances?” he asked.

Mace did not dismiss the possibility.

“It may have ended my political career, Chris,” she replied.

“You said it,” Cuomo responded.

‘I got my butt beat’

Mace said she has built her political identity by criticizing members of both parties when she believes they deserve it.

“I enjoy calling out Democrats and Republicans alike,” she said.

She also acknowledged the reality of her recent electoral defeat.

“I got my butt beat in the governor’s race, OK?” Mace said. “So, you know, those are all things that you sort of weigh.”

Future remains uncertain

Although Mace stopped short of announcing whether she will enter South Carolina’s Senate special election, her remarks highlighted the uncertainty surrounding her political future.

Once viewed as one of the state’s rising Republican stars, Mace now faces difficult questions after her gubernatorial defeat and high-profile split with Trump. Whether she seeks another office or steps away from electoral politics altogether remains an open question.

READ NEXT: The Unusual Souvenir Trump Wants To Keep

Trump Prime-Time Speech: Direct Address On Iran & Election Security

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President Donald J. Trump hosts a Rose Garden Club dinner in honor of Police Week in the White House Rose Garden, Monday, May 11, 2026. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

President Donald Trump will deliver a prime-time “Speech to the Nation” from the White House on Thursday evening, with senior administration officials saying the address is expected to cover a variety of topics — including election integrity and the ongoing confrontation with Iran.

Trump announced the address Monday on Truth Social, saying it will begin at 9 p.m. ET. While he did not outline the full agenda, a senior adviser described the speech as a “potpourri” of issues the president considers most important.

Iran expected to be a major focus

According to a senior White House adviser, Trump is expected to provide an update on the administration’s response to Iran following weeks of escalating tensions in the Middle East.

The address comes after the United States launched additional military strikes against Iranian targets in response to renewed threats against commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump has repeatedly vowed to keep the strategic waterway open and has warned Tehran of further consequences if it interferes with international maritime traffic.

Election integrity also on agenda

The adviser said election integrity is also expected to feature prominently in the speech.

Online speculation suggested Trump might revisit the 2020 Georgia Senate runoff elections, but the White House adviser rejected those reports, saying the president does not plan to focus specifically on those contests.

Instead, the president is expected to discuss election security more broadly as he continues pushing for stricter voter identification requirements and other election reforms ahead of the 2026 midterm elections.

Trump wants more prime-time addresses

Although Trump frequently speaks with reporters and holds campaign-style events, he has delivered relatively few formal, direct-to-camera prime-time addresses from the White House during his second term.

According to the senior adviser, the president wants to make such speeches a more regular part of his communications strategy, allowing him to address Americans directly on issues he considers significant.

The White House has not released additional details about the speech’s format or confirmed where on the White House grounds Trump will deliver the remarks.

With Iran, election security and other major issues expected to be discussed, Thursday’s address is shaping up to be one of the administration’s highest-profile televised events in recent months.

READ NEXT: Top Trump Official Pressured To Replace Lindsey Graham

Report: Patel Cancels Trip, Heads To West Wing Following Luxury Travel Allegations

White House image via Wikimedia Commons

FBI Director Kash Patel was summoned to the White House on Friday after abruptly canceling a planned trip to Chicago, fueling fresh speculation about his standing inside the Trump administration as questions continue to mount over his alleged use of government resources for luxury perks.

According to a report by MS NOW, Patel had been preparing to depart Friday morning for a trip that included a visit to the FBI’s Chicago field office and an appearance by his girlfriend, country singer Alexis Wilkins, at a local music festival. However, senior administration officials instructed him to report to the West Wing instead. The outlet, citing unnamed sources, said officials had grown frustrated by recent controversies surrounding the FBI director — including an ongoing feud with the network that includes a lawsuit filed by Wilkins last month over reporting on her use of Patel’s security detail.

The White House and FBI quickly disputed that the West Wing meeting was a reprimand. An FBI spokesperson said Patel was there on “official business,” while White House Communications Director Steven Cheung dismissed the report as “fake news” and actively defended Patel’s right to mock the media.

Questions continue to grow

The White House meeting came as Patel faces increasing bipartisan scrutiny over his management of the bureau. Earlier this week, Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) requested records showing whether Patel reimbursed the government for personal travel aboard FBI aircraft and pressed him on the bureau’s unusual purchase of luxury BMW vehicles instead of traditional Chevrolet Suburbans. (RELATED: Grassley Seeks Records On Kash Patel’s Travel, Vehicle Purchases)

The scrutiny intensified after reports surfaced about a separate letter from congressional Democrats citing whistleblower allegations. According to those reports, Patel allegedly directed FBI field offices to arrange taxpayer-funded leisure activities during official travel, including a helicopter tour, a VIP snorkeling excursion over the wreckage of the USS Arizona at Pearl Harbor — where more than 900 sailors and Marines remain entombed — and a jet ski outing.

The U.S. Navy later confirmed to ABC News that the previously undisclosed Pearl Harbor snorkeling expedition had, in fact, taken place.

Patel has denied wrongdoing, and the FBI maintains that all flights comply with policies requiring the director to use government aircraft for security reasons.

Patel pushes back

Hours before reports of the White House meeting surfaced, Patel publicly mocked the scrutiny on X, sharing a screenshot of an article criticizing his lifestyle.

“Nah, my jet ski is gold plated… dumbass,” Patel wrote. “Your job is to lie. Mine is to protect the American people, and business is good!”

Neither the White House nor the FBI disclosed what was specifically discussed during Friday’s meeting. While there is no indication Patel’s position is in immediate jeopardy, the sudden cancellation of his Chicago trip to answer to the West Wing has intensified attention on his leadership at a time when congressional oversight of the bureau is rapidly escalating.

READ NEXT: Charlie Kirk Vote Sparks Ugly Democratic Fight

Stephen A. Smith Defends Trump Supporters, Calling Attacks ‘Incredibly Unfair’

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President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

Sports commentator Stephen A. Smith said this week that while he remains sharply critical of President Donald Trump’s behavior, he believes the tens of millions of Americans who voted for the president should not be condemned simply because of their political choice.

Smith made the remarks during a conversation with Barrett Media CEO and founder Jason Barrett at the Barrett Media Audio Summit in New York City, where he discussed his growing role in political commentary alongside his longtime career in sports media.

Barrett noted that Smith’s political commentary has drawn attention from Trump himself. The president has publicly suggested Smith should consider running for office while also dismissing him at other times as a “low IQ individual.”

Smith said he was unfazed by the insult.

“I’m in good company,” Smith said. “He’s called quite a few people low IQ.”

The ESPN personality added that criticism from within the African American community has been more difficult for him to deal with than Trump’s comments.

Criticizes Trump while defending his voters

Smith made clear that he strongly disapproves of Trump’s public conduct.

“I’m utterly disgusted with how he behaves,” he said.

At the same time, Smith argued that opposing Trump does not mean dismissing every person who voted for him. He noted that more than 77 million Americans cast ballots for Trump and said it is unfair to treat those voters with the same hostility directed toward the president.

According to Smith, many people vote based on policy priorities rather than personal loyalty to a candidate.

“I don’t have to like you to vote for you,” he said, explaining that elections often require voters to choose between imperfect options.

Smith also stressed that he does not oppose every Trump policy, despite his criticism of the president’s rhetoric.

Says voters consider a range of issues

Smith pointed to the economy, immigration, abortion, and border security as examples of issues that can drive voting decisions.

Someone may favor stricter immigration enforcement, support a pro-life position, or believe one candidate is better equipped to handle the economy without endorsing every statement or action that candidate makes, he said.

Smith argued that reducing millions of voters to a single label ignores the complexity of political decision-making.

He recalled an episode of his program, “The Straight Shooter,” when he abruptly ended a call after a caller claimed that everyone who voted for Trump was racist.

Smith said he refused to entertain such a sweeping accusation because it ignored the many reasons Americans cast their ballots.

Two-party system forces difficult choices

Smith also argued that America’s two-party system often leaves voters choosing between candidates they do not fully support.

Many Americans, he said, identify more closely with one party’s priorities than the other’s, even if they disagree with certain positions or aspects of the nominee’s personality.

For that reason, Smith said it is “incredibly unfair” to attack or stereotype millions of people based solely on the candidate they supported.

He maintained that political disagreements should not automatically become personal attacks and urged people to recognize that voters often weigh a variety of competing issues before making their decision at the ballot box.

READ NEXT: Bernie Sanders-Endorsed Mayor Pleads Guilty To Horrible Crime

Tucker Carlson’s War With Trump Hits New Low: ‘Shut Up, B*tch’

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Tucker Carlson via Gage Skidmore Flickr

The gloves are officially off.

Just weeks after blasting President Donald Trump’s handling of the Iran conflict, abandoning the Republican Party, and declaring “I’m out,” Tucker Carlson has launched what may be his most personal attack on the president yet.

Appearing on the Jack Neel Podcast on Wednesday, Carlson mocked Trump as a loudmouth who talks tough but lacks the resolve to back it up.

Recalling Trump’s repeated Truth Social warnings that Iran’s regime could be eliminated, Carlson argued the president realized there was “no obvious military solution” and tried to bluff his way through the crisis.

“So he tried to posture his way out of it,” Carlson said, impersonating Trump. “‘We’re going to eliminate you.'”

According to Carlson, the strategy backfired.

“After like the 400th Truth Social, [Iran] reached the same conclusion that everyone on the globe reached, which is this guy’s not strong, he’s weak,” Carlson said. “Strong people don’t brag about how strong they are. They just punch you in the face and end the conversation.”

Carlson then compared Trump to the kind of barroom braggart his late father once warned him about.

“My father was a boxer at one point,” Carlson said, explaining that there are “two types of guys” in a fight.

The first, he said, are the men who puff out their chests and shout, “What’d you say? Say it again!”

“You don’t have to worry about those guys,” Carlson said.

The people to fear, he argued, are the ones who stay quiet until they strike.

“And Trump is very much, ‘What’d you say?!'” Carlson continued before delivering his bluntest insult yet.

“Shut up, b*tch! I don’t take you seriously. No, I’m not being mean. But like, come on.”

The extraordinary remarks mark another dramatic escalation in Carlson’s increasingly bitter feud with the president.

Once one of Trump’s most influential allies, Carlson has spent the past several weeks repeatedly criticizing the administration’s approach to Iran, warning that the conflict betrayed the “America First” agenda that energized millions of Republican voters. (RELATED: Tucker Carlson and MTG Turn on GOP in Stunning MAGA Revolt)

The split has only widened since then.

As GAND previously reported, Carlson recently declared that he could no longer support the Republican Party, saying, “I would not support the Republican Party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican Party.”

He later argued that Republican leaders had become disloyal to American voters, asking, “How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States?”

Former Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) quickly echoed Carlson’s frustration, writing on social media that she, too, was “done supporting the Republican Party.”

“There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up,” Greene wrote. “We are DONE with the America LAST Republican Party.”

Trump, meanwhile, has repeatedly rejected Carlson’s criticism.

During the height of tensions with Iran, the president pushed back against suggestions that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was dictating American policy.

“I call the shots,” Trump said. “I call all the shots.”

Carlson now appears unconvinced.

What began as a disagreement over foreign policy has evolved into one of the most public and personal feuds within the conservative movement.

With each new interview, Carlson’s language has become more pointed—and more difficult for Republicans to ignore.

Tucker Carlson and MTG Turn on GOP in Stunning MAGA Revolt

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Marjorie Taylor Greene -Gage Skidmore from Surprise, AZ, United States of America, via Wikimedia Commons

For years, Tucker Carlson and Marjorie Taylor Greene were among the loudest voices defending the Republican Party and Donald Trump’s America First movement.

Now they’re publicly walking away.

In a stunning rebuke of the party they helped champion, Carlson declared that he can no longer support Republicans — and Greene quickly signaled she feels the same way.

“Tucker is not the only one who is done supporting the Republican Party,” Greene wrote Monday.

“There is A LOT of us that are absolutely fed up and will not support a party that betrays its voters and country.”

Then came the line that sent shockwaves through conservative circles:

“We are DONE with the America LAST Republican Party.”

The explosive comments came after Carlson’s own political breakup with the GOP during an appearance on the Can’t Be Censored podcast.

“I would not support the Republican Party. There’s no chance I would support the Republican Party,” Carlson said. “I’m not going to support the Democratic Party — I’m not sure what I’m going to do.”

For a man who spent decades defending Republican candidates, Republican policies, and Republican voters, it was a remarkable admission.

And Carlson wasn’t done.

“How could I or any American voter support a political party that’s not loyal to the United States?” he asked.

The former Fox News star has spent weeks attacking what he sees as the Republican establishment’s willingness to involve America in another Middle East conflict. He has repeatedly blasted U.S. military action involving Iran and accused GOP leaders of putting foreign interests ahead of American citizens.

The fight has also opened a rare and very public rift between Carlson and President Donald Trump.

Once one of Trump’s most influential allies, Carlson has increasingly questioned the administration’s foreign policy decisions, warning that America First voters never signed up for another overseas conflict.

Now, Greene appears to be standing beside him.

Neither Carlson nor Greene expressed support for Democrats. In fact, both made clear their frustration runs in the opposite direction: they believe Republicans have abandoned the very voters who delivered them power.

That sentiment is resonating with a growing segment of the MAGA base that feels disconnected from Republican leaders in Washington.

For years, Carlson and Greene helped energize millions of grassroots conservatives.

Today, they’re sending a very different message.

The party they spent years fighting for may no longer be worth fighting for.

Carlson put it in the simplest possible terms.

“I’m out.”

Greene’s response suggested he may have far more company than Republican leaders would like to admit.

Senator Accuses Trump’s New Intelligence Pick of Making America More Vulnerable to Terror Attacks

President Donald J. Trump is presented with a 10th Combat Aviation Brigade challenge coin following an air assault and gun rain demonstration at Fort Drum, New York, on August 13. The demonstration was part of President Trump's visit to the 10th Mountain Division (LI) to sign the National Defense Authorization Act of 2019, which increases the Army's authorized active-duty end strength by 4,000 enabling us to field critical capabilities in support of the National Defense Strategy. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. Thomas Scaggs) 180813-A-TZ475-010

Sen. Jon Ossoff (D-GA) is sounding the alarm over President Donald Trump’s decision to install Federal Housing Finance Agency Director Bill Pulte as acting director of national intelligence, warning the move could leave the United States more vulnerable to a terrorist attack.

During an appearance Wednesday on MSNBC’s The Briefing with Jen Psaki, Ossoff blasted the appointment as one of the most dangerous personnel decisions of Trump’s presidency.

“The installation of a thug and a hack like Pulte as the acting director of national intelligence is maybe the most chilling and the most dangerous nomination or appointment that this president has made,” Ossoff said.

Trump announced earlier this month that Pulte would take over as acting DNI beginning Friday following the departure of Tulsi Gabbard. The move immediately drew criticism from Democrats, who argue Pulte lacks any meaningful background in intelligence, national security, or military affairs.

Ossoff, who serves on the Senate Intelligence Committee, accused Trump of prioritizing political loyalty over national security.

“He is putting the national security of the country at risk,” Ossoff said. “His handling of this is putting the United States at risk and making a terrorist attack more likely because he is destabilizing America’s intelligence capabilities.”

The Georgia senator also warned that Pulte could weaponize the intelligence community against Trump’s political opponents.

“He’s putting someone in who is a political hack who will abuse his authorities in the intelligence community,” Ossoff added.

Pulte, a longtime Trump ally and donor, has already generated controversy during his tenure at the FHFA. He has publicly pushed for investigations into alleged mortgage fraud involving several prominent Trump critics, including New York Attorney General Letitia James and Sen. Adam Schiff (D-CA).

The controversy surrounding Pulte’s appointment comes amid broader turmoil over leadership at the nation’s top intelligence agency.

Trump has nominated former SEC Chairman Jay Clayton to serve as permanent director of national intelligence. However, the nomination hit a roadblock Wednesday after Trump instructed Clayton not to appear before the Senate Intelligence Committee for a scheduled confirmation hearing.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Clayton’s nomination process would remain on hold until Congress passes legislation combining a voter ID measure with an extension of federal surveillance authorities used to monitor foreign nationals.

The decision frustrated some Republicans, including Senate Intelligence Committee Chairman Tom Cotton (R-AR), who called the delay “regrettable.”

“Mr. Clayton is a patriot and a highly qualified nominee, as the president has said repeatedly,” Cotton wrote on X. “While today’s hearing is now unfortunately postponed, I look forward to proceeding with his confirmation in the near future.”

Whoopi Goldberg Stuns Co-Hosts, Makes the Case for Knicks Visiting Trump White House

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By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/191819781@N02/53626268079/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=147209317

One of Donald Trump’s most outspoken celebrity critics just made an argument few saw coming.

During Thursday’s episode of The View, Whoopi Goldberg surprised her fellow hosts by urging the newly crowned NBA champion New York Knicks to accept President Donald Trump’s invitation to the White House — despite years of tensions between Trump and the league.

The debate erupted after reports that the Knicks, fresh off their first NBA title in more than 50 years, are expected to receive the traditional White House invitation extended to championship teams.

Most of Goldberg’s co-hosts argued the team should decline.

“There’s a reason why every single previous NBA champion crowned during the Trump administration refused to go,” co-host Sunny Hostin said, arguing that Trump has a history of politicizing White House appearances.

But Goldberg broke ranks.

“I want them to go,” she declared. “I want all those Black men to stand in our house and remind all of those people… that when you try to destroy one part of history, you’re destroying all of our histories.”

The audience erupted in applause as Goldberg continued.

“I want them to go. If only so the kids know that nobody — nobody — can keep you down if you are rising up.”

The comments were notable coming from Goldberg, who has repeatedly criticized Trump throughout both of his presidencies and frequently clashes with conservatives on political issues.

Her argument wasn’t an endorsement of Trump. Instead, Goldberg framed a White House visit as an opportunity for the players themselves to send a message by simply showing up as champions.

The debate comes as the Knicks weigh whether to participate in one of sports’ longest-standing traditions. Several championship teams across professional sports have skipped White House visits in recent years amid political controversies, and NBA teams in particular have had a rocky relationship with Trump dating back to his first term.

Hostin noted that Knicks players have already been asked about the possibility, with guard Jose Alvarado reportedly saying he would follow whatever decision the team ultimately makes.

Sarah Haines echoed Goldberg’s point, arguing that the visual contrast itself could be powerful.

“Why don’t you show up and show them what real men look like?” Haines said.

Whether the Knicks ultimately accept the invitation remains to be seen. But Goldberg’s unexpected defense of a Trump White House visit may end up being one of the more surprising political takes to emerge from The View this year.