National Security

-

November 3, 2025

1080px-President_Donald_Trump_signs_Executive_Orders_(54325633746) — By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54325633746/, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159707159

The Trump administration has launched detailed planning for a bold new mission to send American troops and intelligence officers into Mexico to dismantle violent drug cartels, according to two current U.S. officials and two former senior officials familiar with the effort.

Initial training for this potential operation — which would include ground operations inside Mexico — is already underway, though a full deployment is not, at this moment, imminent. The officials say the scope is still being debated and no final decision has been made.
Under the proposed plan, U.S. troops — many drawn from the elite Joint Special Operations Command (JSOC) — would operate under Title 50 status (the U.S. intelligence framework) and coordinate with officers from the Central Intelligence Agency.

This would mark a sharp departure from previous administrations, which generally confined U.S. efforts in Mexico to support roles (advising local police or army units) rather than direct action. The new approach signals that the Trump team views cartels as an insurgent threat to U.S. national security — not simply a law-enforcement challenge.

If green-lit, the mission is expected to remain largely covert, without public fanfare. The administration is framing this as part of an “all-of-government” approach to protect American communities from cartel violence and drug flows.
Key to the plan will be drone strikes targeting drug laboratories and cartel leadership. Some of these drones require operators on the ground, hence the need for special forces and intelligence personnel inside Mexico.

This push builds off an earlier move: the State Department designated six Mexican cartels — along with MS‑13 and the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua — as Foreign Terrorist Organizations. That step unlocked sweeping legal authorities for U.S. spy agencies and military units to go after their networks.

Furthermore, President Trump has publicly acknowledged authorizing covert CIA action inside Venezuela and has signaled that land-based strikes on cartel targets could follow.

The reported move into Mexico thus reflects a two-front strategy: continuing pressure on Venezuela-based narcotics networks while now looking to tackle the land routes and infrastructure of cartels operating in North America. According to the officials, both the intelligence community and military assess that the “hemisphere war” on narco-terror must intensify — and that the U.S. has both the sovereign interest and legal authorities to act.

Context on the Venezuela Campaign

Here are some of the key developments and background on the recent Trump administration effort against drug trafficking and narcoterrorism in Venezuela.

In early September 2025, U.S. forces struck a vessel off the coast of Venezuela carrying illegal narcotics. The administration described the target as operated by a designated narco-terrorist organization.
In October 2025, President Trump announced that another strike resulted in six “narcoterrorists” killed aboard a boat allegedly trafficking drugs from Venezuela toward the U.S.
The administration formally told Congress that the U.S. is now in a “non-international armed conflict” with certain drug cartel organizations, marking a shift in legal posture from purely interdiction to armed confrontation.
The region’s deployment has included U.S. Navy warships in the Caribbean and Eastern Pacific, paired with surveillance platforms and special operations forces.
The Trump team argues this is justified by the scale of the drug-flow threat: ships carrying huge loads of narcotics destined for U.S. streets and deaths — making the fight one of national security, not just crime-control.
On the flip side, critics argue there are serious legal, sovereignty and human-rights concerns: whether strikes in international waters or even near foreign shores are consistent with U.S. and international law when the targets are suspected smugglers rather than declared enemy combatants.

Sponsored

All eyes are on Tuesday! Help Winsome Sears deliver the BIGGEST conservative victory of 2025 — chip in NOW!

Trump Responds To Reports Of Impending Military Strikes Against Venezuela

By

-

October 31, 2025

The White House refuted media reports suggesting that President Donald Trump’s administration was poised to strike military targets within Venezuela.

Although Trump has signaled for weeks that he’s prepared to launch land operations against Venezuela, the White House cast doubt on the new media reports.

“Unnamed sources don’t know what they’re talking about,” White House spokeswoman Anna Kelly said in a Friday statement to Fox News. “Any announcements regarding Venezuela policy would come directly from the President.”

The Wall Street Journal reported Thursday that the Trump administration had identified military targets within Venezuela that are being used to transport drugs, although the news outlet said that Trump hadn’t formalized a decision on whether he would launch land strikes against these targets.

Trump told reporters Friday on Air Force One a decision hadn’t been made about whether he would strike military targets within Venezuela, Bloomberg News reported.

Additionally, the Miami Herald reported Friday that the administration had decided to conduct strikes against these military installations within Venezuela that could come “in a matter of days or even hours.”

Both the Journal and the Miami Herald cited anonymous sources familiar with the plans.

The Herald reported that the pending strikes were part of a larger effort the Trump administration is initiating to crack down on the Cartel de los Soles, which Attorney General Pam Bondi has said Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro heads up.

The Trump administration does not recognize Maduro as a legitimate head of state, and the administration has increased pressure to remove him from power.

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

Sponsored

Trump kept his promise — NO TAXES on Social Security! But the Left wants to undo it. Do you stand with Trump’s plan? Vote YES or NO now.

FBI Director Kash Patel Shuts Down Charlie Kirk Foreign Intelligence Probe

By

-

October 29, 2025

1080px-Kash_Patel_(52588344075) (1) — Image via gage Skidmore Flickr

FBI Director Kash Patel reportedly shut down efforts by Joe Kent, head of the National Counterterrorism Center and a close ally of Tulsi Gabbard, to investigate whether a foreign power was behind the assassination of conservative leader Charlie Kirk.

Kent Pushes to Expose Possible Foreign Ties

According to The New York Times, Kent began reviewing FBI case files to determine if Kirk’s alleged killer, Tyler Robinson, received outside help. Robinson, 22, has been charged with fatally shooting Kirk with a sniper rifle while the Turning Point USA founder was addressing students at Utah Valley University on September 10.

Kent’s investigation raised alarms at the FBI. Patel reportedly believed Kent was overstepping his authority by digging into an active bureau investigation — even though Kent’s mandate at the Counterterrorism Center includes monitoring potential foreign threats to national security.

White House Tensions Boil Over

When Patel learned Kent had accessed internal FBI materials, he demanded a high-level White House meeting. The tense roundtable brought together Patel, Kent, Gabbard, Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and senior DOJ officials.

Kent defended his actions, saying a lower-level FBI official had granted him access. Supporters of Kent argue he was doing his duty to ensure foreign adversaries weren’t behind the killing of one of the conservative movement’s most prominent voices.

However, Patel and other officials worried the probe could complicate the prosecution, possibly giving Robinson’s defense attorneys an opening to claim there were multiple suspects or motives at play.

Jurisdictional Turf War

The standoff reflects ongoing turf battles between the FBI and the Counterterrorism Center, particularly over how intelligence is shared during active criminal cases. Despite the controversy, Kent’s team reportedly collected intelligence from other agencies about potential foreign funding or coordination, including possible links to left-wing extremist groups like Antifa.

So far, it’s unclear whether either agency is still investigating possible foreign involvement in the attack.

Sponsored

Help save our schools! The 1776 Project PAC was designed from the ground up to raise funds for local school board races across the country but the radical Left keeps winning. Enough is enough. [Click HERE to help retake our schools]

Air Force One Hunting Stand Incident Prompts Increased Security Measures

By

-

October 20, 2025

1080px-P20250417MR-0836 — President Donald Trump signs Executive Orders, Thursday, April 17, 2025, in the Oval Office. (Official White House Photo by Molly Riley)

President Donald Trump’s return to Palm Beach on Sunday was marked by heightened security measures after the Secret Service uncovered a potential threat near Palm Beach International Airport just days earlier. According to a White House official speaking to Fox News, President Trump boarded Air Force One quickly using the smaller set of stairs — a precaution taken “due to increased security measures.”

The enhanced protections followed the discovery of a suspected hunting stand last Friday positioned within clear sight of the Air Force One landing and boarding area — an alarming find that prompted immediate coordination between the U.S. Secret Service, the FBI, and local law enforcement.

“Prior to the President’s return to West Palm Beach, USSS discovered what appeared to be an elevated hunting stand within sight line of the Air Force One landing zone,” FBI Director Kash Patel told Fox News Digital. “No individuals were located at the scene. The FBI has since taken the investigatory lead, flying in resources to collect all evidence from the scene, and deploying our cell phone analytics capabilities.”

Patel noted that the structure has not yet been linked to any individual, and the investigation remains ongoing.

Secret Service Chief of Communications Anthony Guglielmi confirmed that agents acted swiftly and decisively, working “closely” with the FBI and Palm Beach County law enforcement to secure the area.

“There was no impact to any movements, and no individuals were present or involved at the location,” Guglielmi said, emphasizing that the discovery did not disrupt the President’s schedule.

“While we are not able to provide details about the specific items or their intent, this incident underscores the importance of our layered security measures,” he added.

The incident comes at a time of renewed focus on security for the President. The discovery follows the conviction of Ryan Routh, who was found guilty just weeks ago of attempting to assassinate President Trump from a sniper’s nest he set up on a Palm Beach golf course.

The parallels between the two cases — both involving elevated shooting positions and close proximity to Trump’s movements — have raised serious concerns about ongoing threats to his safety. Law enforcement officials are reportedly reviewing whether the newly found stand could be connected in any way to previous plots or individuals of interest.

Federal authorities have not disclosed whether the device or structure contained any surveillance equipment or weapons components, citing the ongoing investigation. Still, the rapid response demonstrates the robust coordination between the Secret Service and federal investigative teams tasked with protecting the former President.

Sponsored

This race is a coin flip and Vivek Ramaswamy Needs YOUR help! Take the first step of our American Revival and sign our Declaration of Truth today.

Fox News To Join Other Networks In Rejecting Pete Hegseth’s Pentagon Media ‘Pledge’

By

-

October 14, 2025

5

Not happening…

Fox News is reportedly planning to join a coalition of news organizations to reject the War Department’s order that will sharply curtail press freedom at the Pentagon.

The move follows a late Friday memo from Hegseth demanding reporters sign a new “In-Brief for Media Members” agreement or surrender their Pentagon access cards by Tuesday.

The order forbids journalists from soliciting tips, photographing, or even sketching what they see inside the building.

David B. Gleason from Chicago, IL, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

Networks are coordinating through the Pentagon press pool to issue a unified response to publicly oppose the measure, according to Status’ Oliver Darcy.

Darcy reported Tuesday that Fox News, where Hegseth worked for almost a decade prior to his nomination, has “no plans to agree to the draconian rules,” citing sources.

The move will set up “a showdown with his former employer,” according to Darcy.

Darcy’s reporting was later backed up by CNN’s chief media analyst Brian Stelter, who wrote in his Reliable Sources newsletter, “CNN has already said that its journalists will not accept the new restrictions. I’m told that Fox News, NBC, ABC, CBS and CNN will issue a joint statement later today saying much the same thing.”

The push by Hegseth has now been slammed across the board by newspapers and networks — such as The New York Times, The Atlantic, CNN, Newsmax and The Guardian — with the only outlet reportedly agreeing to the new terms being One America News.

The Pentagon Press Association condemned the policy, saying: “This Wednesday, most Pentagon Press Association members seem likely to hand over their badges rather than acknowledge a policy that gags Pentagon employees and threatens retaliation against reporters who seek out information that has not been pre-approved for release.”

Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell dismissed concerns on Monday, accusing reporters of a “full-blown meltdown” in a statement to Status and insisting the policy “is what’s best for our troops and the national security of this country.”

Sponsored

Jay Jones is DANGEROUS for Virginia! Jay Jones hates cops and does not care about keeping Virginia safe. Virginia voters deserve to know the TRUTH before they vote. [STOP JAY JONES]

Report: Trump Tells Congress The U.S. Is Engaged In ‘Armed Conflict’ With Drug Cartels

By

-

October 2, 2025

1080px-P20250410MR-2927_President_Donald_Trump_Holds_a_Cabinet_Meeting — By The White House - https://www.flickr.com/photos/202101414@N05/54581054338/, Public Domain,

On Thursday, the White House sent a memo to Congress saying that the United States is now “in a non-international armed conflict” with drug cartels, which administration officials have designated as “terrorist organizations.”

“The President directed these actions consistent with his responsibility to protect Americans and United States interests abroad and in furtherance of United States national security and foreign policy interests, pursuant to his constitutional authority as Commander in Chief and Chief Executive to conduct foreign relations,” the memo states.

“The cartels involved have grown more armed, well-organized, and violent,” the memo said. “They have the financial means, sophistication, and paramilitary capabilities needed to operate with impunity.”

“They illegally and directly cause the deaths of tens of thousands of American citizens each year,” it continued. “Although friendly foreign nations have made significant efforts to combat these organizations, suffering significant losses of life, these groups are now transnational and conduct ongoing attacks throughout the Western Hemisphere in the form of organized cartels. Therefore, the President determined these cartels are non-state armed groups, designated them as terrorist organizations, and determined that their actions constitute an armed attack against the United States.”

The memo specifically cites the Sept. 15 strike.

“The vessel was assessed by the U.S. intelligence community to be affiliated with a designated terrorist organization and, at the time, engaged in trafficking illicit drugs, which could eventually kill Americans,” it said.

Trump has vowed to unleash the strength of the U.S. military on drug cartels amid a buildup in the Caribbean and has signed off on a series of U.S. military strikes against alleged drug vessels from Venezuela to combat the stream of illegal drugs into the U.S.

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

Sponsored

2026 will be a defining year — Republicans must unite to protect the Senate majority and stop the Radical Left [CONFIRM YOUR VOTER STATUS]

Cartel Leader Admits That President Trump’s Cartel Crackdown Works

By

-

October 1, 2025

Border Wall — CBP Photography, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

A senior Sinaloa Cartel leader has admitted that President Donald Trump’s strong border security policies are taking a real toll on their criminal operations. Speaking anonymously to CNN senior national correspondent David Culver, the cartel member acknowledged that Trump’s aggressive stance on border control and drug trafficking has disrupted their business.

The Trump administration made confronting foreign cartels a top national security priority. By deploying more resources to the southern border, pressuring Mexico to take action, and increasing enforcement against drug trafficking networks, Trump sought to stop the flow of fentanyl, heroin, and human smuggling into the United States. His administration worked closely with law enforcement to dismantle smuggling corridors and target cartel finances, a shift that has forced cartels to adapt and scramble.

Culver interviewed the masked, goggle-wearing Sinaloa leader, who described his own criminal past: “From killing to coordinating smuggling operations, he says he’s done it all,” Culver reported.

When asked directly, “Do you think what President Trump has been doing has been making your job tougher?” the cartel member answered bluntly: “Oh yeah. Yeah.”

“So it’s becoming more difficult, you think?” Culver pressed.

“Yeah,” the senior member confirmed.

According to Culver, these enforcement measures have “massive implications” for the cartels. “You heard that cartel boss say that his job is getting tougher. And because of that, officials say cartels are now charging much more to get migrants across. It’s jumped from about $6,500 a person that they were charging earlier this year to now nearly $10,000 that they’re charging,” Culver said. Many migrants simply cannot afford these higher rates, and those who do often end up in deep debt to the cartels.

In a moment of rare candor, the cartel operative admitted the harm caused by his organization: when Culver asked if he felt part of the problem, he replied, “Yeah,” but justified his actions as self-defense — “You have something wrong to me, I do something bad to you.”

The man said his decision to speak publicly was meant as a warning to others about the cost of a life in organized crime. But when asked why he doesn’t leave the cartel, his response was chilling: once someone joins, “they cannot get out.”

Sponsored

The Second Amendment is under attack but Cindy Hyde-Smith fights for the Constitution EVERY DAY. Make Your Second Amendment contribution TODAY. [Support Hyde-Smith HERE]

Taliban Responds To Trump Push To Reclaim Bagram Air Base

By

-

September 22, 2025

The Taliban on Sunday responded to President Trump’s push to regain control of Bagram Air Base in Afghanistan, saying the U.S. should adopt “a policy of realism and rationality” while rejecting the move.

“It has been consistently communicated to the United States in all bilateral negotiations that, for the Islamic Emirate, Afghanistan’s independence and territorial integrity are of the utmost importance,” Taliban deputy spokesperson Hamdullah Fitrat said in an official statement posted on the social platform X.

Statement of the Islamic Emirate Regarding the Recent Declarations by the President of the United States
September 21, 2025
In the Name of Allah, the Most Compassionate, the Most Merciful

In accordance with Islamic principles and grounded in its balanced, economy-oriented…
— Hamdullah Fitratحمدالله فطرت (@FitratHamd) September 21, 2025

Fitrat pointed to U.S. commitments under the Doha agreement — which Trump aides negotiated in his first term to end the U.S. presence in Afghanistan — not to “use or threaten force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Afghanistan, nor interfere in its internal affairs.”

Trump in recent days has suggested the U.S. wants to wrest back control of Bagram Air Base.

“If Afghanistan doesn’t give Bagram Airbase back to those that built it, the United States of America, BAD THINGS ARE GOING TO HAPPEN!!!,” Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform on Saturday.

During a joint press conference in Great Britain with that country’s prime minister, Trump said the U.S. was “trying to get it back” because the Taliban needed things from the United States.

He also highlighted the base’s proximity to China.

“We gave it to them for nothing,” Trump said, repeating a campaign message on the Biden-era unconditional withdrawal from Afghanistan, during a joint news conference with U.K. Prime Minister Keir Starmer.

“We’re trying to get it back, by the way. OK, that could be a little breaking news. We’re trying to get it back because they need things from us.

“We want that base back. But one of the reasons we want the base is, as you know, it’s an hour away from where China makes its nuclear weapons.

“So a lot of things are happening.”

Watch:

TRUMP: "We were going to leave Afghanistan, but we were going to leave it with strength and dignity, and we were going to keep Bagram, the big airbase that one of the biggest air bases in the world. We gave it to them for nothing. We're trying to get it back, by the way. Okay,… pic.twitter.com/9nNOYE4RlF
— NEWSMAX (@NEWSMAX) September 18, 2025

Bagram was once the largest U.S. base in Afghanistan during the U.S. war in that country, the longest conflict in American history. It was abandoned in 2021 when the Biden administration withdrew U.S. forces from Afghanistan.

Sponsored

From Erika Kirk: The torch Charlie lit still burns — now it’s in our hands. [STAND WITH US TODAY]

Trump Designates Iran-Backed Groups In Iraq Terrorist Organizations

National Security

By

-

September 20, 2025