Random

    National Security

    Home National Security

    Report: US Military Seizes Two Sanctioned Tankers In Atlantic Ocean

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    4

    Just in…

    On Wednesday, U.S. forces seized two sanctioned tankers in the Atlantic Ocean.

    First, U.S. European Command (EUCOM) announced the seizure of the Russian-flagged Marinera oil tanker in the North Atlantic Sea.

    “The @TheJusticeDept & @DHSgov, in coordination with the @DeptofWar today announced the seizure of the M/V Bella 1 for violations of U.S. sanctions,” read a post from EUCOM on X. “The vessel was seized in the North Atlantic pursuant to a warrant issued by a U.S. federal court after being tracked by USCGC Munro.”

    “This seizure supports @POTUS Proclamation targeting sanctioned vessels that threaten the security and stability of the Western Hemisphere,” EUCOM added. “The operation was executed by DHS components with support from  @DeptofWar, showcasing a whole-of-government approach to protect the homeland.”

    Fox News previously reported that U.S. forces were attempting to board the Marinera tanker, which previously operated under the name Bella 1, in the North Atlantic earlier Wednesday morning.

    Fox News reports:

    The development comes after the Wall Street Journal reported on Tuesday that Russia had sent a submarine and other naval assets to escort the tanker.

    The vessel had spent more than two weeks attempting to slip past U.S. enforcement efforts targeting sanctioned oil shipments near Venezuela, the outlet reported.

    “The blockade of sanctioned and illicit Venezuelan oil remains in FULL EFFECT — anywhere in the world,” said Secretary of War Pete Hegseth after the tanker was seized.

    House GOP just rolled out the OFFICIAL America 250 Membership & you’ve been selected for a coveted spot on the roster. This celebration will be remembered for DECADES – and we want you to have a front row seat to it all. We’re asking a select group of TOP PATRIOTS to answer the following questions and join the House GOP’s official America 250 Membership.[Respond HERE]

    Trump Reverses Iran Strike Orders Hours After Threatening ‘Total Decimation’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2
    Photo via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    President Donald Trump on Monday announced a temporary pause in planned military strikes against Iran, just hours after escalating rhetoric in which he warned the country would face “total decimation.”

    The shift came after what Trump described as “very good and productive conversations” between U.S. and Iranian officials over the past two days, raising the possibility of a broader de-escalation in the ongoing conflict.

    In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he had ordered a five-day halt to attacks targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure while negotiations continue.

    “I AM PLEASE TO REPORT THAT THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND THE COUNTRY OF IRAN, HAVE HAD, OVER THE LAST TWO DAYS, VERY GOOD AND PRODUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS REGARDING A COMPLETE AND TOTAL RESOLUTION OF OUR HOSTILITIES IN THE MIDDLE EAST,” Trump wrote. “BASED ON THE TENOR AND TONE OF THESE IN DEPTH, DETAILED, AND CONSTRUCTIVE CONVERSATIONS, WITCH WILL CONTINUE THROUGHOUT THE WEEK, I HAVE INSTRUCTED THE DEPARTMENT OF WAR TO POSTPONE ANY AND ALL MILITARY STRIKES AGAINST IRANIAN POWER PLANTS AND ENERGY INFRASTRUCTURE FOR A FIVE DAY PERIOD, SUBJECT TO THE SUCCESS OF THE ONGOING MEETINGS AND DISCUSSIONS.”

    The announcement marked a notable reversal from Trump’s earlier statements. On Sunday, during a phone interview with Channel 13 reporter Neria Kraus of Israel, the president warned that Iran would soon face overwhelming military action if it failed to comply with U.S. demands.

    “You’re gonna find out soon. It’s gonna be very good. Total decimation of Iran,” Trump said. “It’s gonna work out very good.”

    Trump also criticized Iran’s leadership, saying the country had been “very bad for 47 years” in reference to the 1979 Islamic Revolution, adding, “Now they’re getting their comeuppance.”

    A day earlier, Trump had issued a 48-hour ultimatum for Iran to “FULLY OPEN” the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route. He warned that failure to do so would trigger immediate U.S. strikes on Iranian infrastructure.

    “If Iran doesn’t FULLY OPEN, WITHOUT THREAT, the Strait of Hormuz, within 48 HOURS from this exact point in time, the United States of America will hit and obliterate their various POWER PLANTS, STARTING WITH THE BIGGEST ONE FIRST!” he wrote.

    The ultimatum followed weeks of escalating conflict between the United States and Iran, including joint U.S. and Israeli strikes that killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and intensified regional tensions.

    Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz has declined sharply since the conflict began on February 28. According to the BBC, maritime traffic dropped as much as 95% in March, with daily vessel counts falling from a typical 138 ships to around 100. The disruption has contributed to a surge in global oil prices, which rose to $98.09 per barrel on Friday—an increase of 47% since before the war began.

    Despite earlier predictions that the conflict was progressing quickly and nearing resolution, Trump’s latest comments suggest a potential shift toward diplomacy, at least in the short term, as negotiations continue.

    John Kennedy here. The last fundraising deadline passed — and we came up short. Now the woke crowd is celebrating, saying “Kennedy’s finished.” Let’s prove them wrong. Chip in $25, $50, or whatever you can to close the gap and keep fighting.

    Trump Issues Pardons For J6 Defendants

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    8
    Tyler Merbler, CC BY 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    President Donald Trump has granted pardons to approximately 1,500 individuals charged in connection with the January 6 Capitol riot. He also announced several commutations for those who committed violent acts during the event.

    Reports indicate that most participants in the January 6 protest and riot at the U.S. Capitol in 2021 are being released from prison tonight, including those who have not yet gone to trial or received sentences.

    The sweeping pardons signify the conclusion of one of the most extensive FBI investigations in history.

    As The Hill reports:

    “What they’ve done to these people is outrageous,” Trump said while signing various orders from the Oval Office, his first time in the White House since he was inaugurated early in the day.

    He briefly said Monday night that he would grant roughly 1,500 pardons for rioters charged in connection with the Jan. 6, 2021, Capitol attack. There have been 1,583 total defendants charged.

    They came just hours after former President Biden in the 11th hour of his presidency issued preemptive pardons for members and staff of the House Jan. 6 committee, which investigated the riot.  

    Following his Inauguration, the president signed executive orders at the Capitol One Arena that include:

    • A freeze on all further regulations
    • A freeze on all federal hiring, except for military personnel and certain other categories
    • A requirement for all federal employees to return to in-person work full-time
    • A directive to all federal agencies and departments to address the cost of living crisis
    • A directive for the government to restore freedom of speech and eliminate government censorship
    • A directive to end the weaponization of the government against former presidential administrations

    Article Published With The Permission of American Liberty News

    Trump Hits Senior FBI Officials In Unexpected Ultimatum

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    5

    Senior FBI officials were delivered a brutal ultimatum…

    According to Fox News, the Trump administration informed some senior FBI officials to either resign or be fired.

    The exact number has not been disclosed, but the ultimatum was allegedly given to senior employees promoted under former director, Christopher A. Wray.

    President Donald Trump’s administration took these steps as his nominee to lead the bureau, Kash Patel, said he would not begin his tenure with retribution or focus on past transgressions. 

    “I have no interest, no desire and will not, if confirmed, go backwards. There will be no politicization at the FBI. There will be no retributive actions taken,” Patel said at the Senate Judiciary Committee.

    According to reporting from The New York Times, an email to colleagues from one of the senior agents outlined that he had learned he would be dismissed “from the rolls of the F.B.I.” as soon as Monday morning.

    “I was given no rationale for this decision, which, as you might imagine, has come as a shock,” he wrote.

    During the Senate Judiciary Committee hearing, Patel said he is unaware of any plans of retribution by the Trump administration.

    “Are you aware of any plans or discussions to punish in any way, including termination, FBI agents or personnel associated with Trump investigations?” asked Democratic Sen. Cory Booker.

    “I am not aware of that, senator,” Patel replied.

    Although Patel has been nominated, a director has not been officially confirmed to take charge, so the news of the ultimatum was alarming for those involved.

    Until the vote comes to a close, Brian Driscoll remains the bureau’s acting director.

    Senate Confirms Kash Patel As FBI Director

    By
    Patrick Houck
    -
    2
    Image via gage Skidmore Flickr

    Kash Patel has been appointed to a 10-year term as the new director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), following the resignation of Christopher Wray.

    The U.S. Senate first voted on Thursday morning to invoke cloture, the last procedural step before the afternoon’s confirmation vote. Patel, 44, cleared the hurdle largely along party lines, with Republicans supporting his nomination and Democrats expressing significant concerns.

    A final roll call vote was conducted at 1:45 p.m., securing Patel’s nomination following a confirmation process marked by adversity.

    The vote comes amidst efforts by Trump-backed officials to reshape the FBI and Department of Justice to align more closely with the administration’s priorities.

    During his confirmation hearing, Patel pledged to depoliticize the FBI and restore accountability within the Bureau. However, Democrats continued to vigorously criticize his close ties to President Trump and questioned his qualifications and impartiality.

    Sen. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) warned last week, “My prediction is if you vote for Kash Patel, more than any other confirmation vote you make, you will come to regret this one to your grave.” Other Democrats attacked Patel over his comments on the 2020 election, his defense of Jan. 6 defendants and concerns that he could lead a purge at the Bureau.

    Patel fired back at Democrats, accusing them of twisting his words and taking his comments out of context—including a list in his book where he identified government officials as part of the “deep state,” which they categorized as an “enemies list.”

    The Senate Judiciary Committee ultimately advanced Patel’s nomination last week in a 12-10 vote, strictly along party lines.

    During Thursday’s cloture vote, Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) came out in opposition to Patel’s nomination.

    Maine’s senior senator voiced concerns over Patel’s ability to lead the FBI impartially.

    “While I strongly support efforts to ensure all federal employees perform their responsibilities ethically and in accordance with the law, Mr. Patel’s recent political profile undermines his ability to serve in the apolitical role of director of the FBI,” Collins said, adding, “Therefore, I will vote against his nomination.”

    At the same time, news broke that longtime Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell would not seek reelection. McConnell backed Patel, surprising some observers.

    As he begins his 10-year term, Patel faces major tasks ahead, having articulated a comprehensive agenda aimed at restructuring the FBI to enhance its efficiency and public trust.

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

    Nobel Laureate Praises Trump’s Tough Stance on Maduro

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    By Kevin Payravi - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=179718533

    Nobel Peace Prize winner María Corina Machado, one of Venezuela’s most prominent pro-democracy leaders, is strongly backing President Donald Trump’s hard-line approach toward Nicolás Maduro’s authoritarian regime. In a new interview that aired Sunday on CBS’s Face the Nation, Machado said Trump’s strategy has given hope to millions of Venezuelans suffering under socialist rule.

    Asked whether she supports increased U.S. sanctions on Venezuelan officials and further U.S. seizures of illicit oil shipments, Machado was unequivocal.

    “Look, I absolutely support President Trump’s strategy, and we, the Venezuelan people, are very grateful to him and to his administration, because I believe he is a champion of freedom in this hemisphere,” Machado told host Margaret Brennan.

    Speaking from Oslo, where she accepted the Nobel Peace Prize after spending nearly a year in hiding, Machado noted that she had dedicated part of the award to Trump.

    “I think that he finally has put Venezuela in where it should be, in terms of a priority for the United States’ national security.”

    Machado argued that Maduro’s regime is far more dangerous than a conventional dictatorship.

    “This is a very complex criminal structure that has turned Venezuela into a safe haven of international crime and terrorist activities, starting with Russia, Iran, Cuba, Hezbollah, Hamas, the Colombian guerrilla [groups], [and] the drug cartels operating freely and directed in partnership with Maduro and his regime.”

    Machado has long been one of Maduro’s most effective opposition figures. After she overwhelmingly won the opposition primary in 2023, the regime barred her from running, then orchestrated an election that independent experts later declared “mathematically and statistically impossible.” Despite that, Maduro claimed victory and refused to relinquish power. Machado endorsed a stand-in candidate but remained the movement’s central figure—until she was forced into hiding for her safety.

    Now, speaking publicly for the first time in months, Machado is calling for increased international pressure.

    “We want every legal action through law enforcement … not only from the United States, also from other Caribbean, Latin American and European countries that further block the illegal activities of the regime.”

    Her argument is straightforward:

    “We need to increase the cost of staying in power by force. Once you arrive to that point in which the cost of staying in power is higher than the cost of leaving power, the regime will fall apart. And it’s the moment where we advance into a negotiated transition.”

    Additional Context: Trump and the Nobel Peace Prize

    Machado’s praise comes as Trump has repeatedly been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, particularly for:

    • The Abraham Accords, which normalized relations between Israel and several Arab nations—an achievement some foreign-policy experts called one of the most important diplomatic breakthroughs in decades.
    • His diplomatic efforts in reducing tensions with North Korea, which earned him multiple nominations from European lawmakers.
    • His support for democracy movements in Latin America, including Venezuela, Cuba, and Nicaragua.
    Vivek Ramaswamy wants to hear from YOU. What message should Republicans lead with in 2026? Take Vivek’s End-of-Year Survey now and help shape the winning strategy.

    Republican Lawmaker Moves To Make Greenland 51st State

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    2

    A House Republican is moving to back President Donald Trump’s long-standing push to bring Greenland under U.S. control, introducing legislation that could place the Arctic territory on a fast track toward eventually becoming America’s 51st state.

    Rep. Randy Fine (R-Fla.) announced Monday that he is introducing a bill authorizing President Trump “to take such steps as may be necessary” to acquire Greenland and begin the process that could ultimately lead to statehood. While the bill would not automatically make Greenland a state, it would formally align Congress with the president’s efforts and remove barriers to negotiation.

    “I think it is in the world’s interest for the United States to exert sovereignty over Greenland,” Fine told Fox News Digital in an interview.

    “Congress would still have to choose to make it a state, but this would simply authorize the president to do what he’s doing and say the Congress stands behind him. And then it would expedite it into becoming a state, but it would still be up to Congress about whether to do that.”

    The renewed push comes as Secretary of State Marco Rubio confirmed last week that he would be meeting with Danish officials to discuss Greenland, signaling that the issue has moved beyond rhetoric and into serious diplomatic engagement.

    President Trump first floated the idea of the U.S. purchasing Greenland during his initial term, drawing criticism from Democrats and European elites but sparking quiet agreement among national security experts. Greenland’s strategic location in the Arctic places it along key military and shipping routes near Russia and China, and the island is believed to hold vast reserves of critical minerals essential for advanced technology, defense systems, and energy production.

    Republicans argue that as global competition intensifies, especially with adversaries like China and Russia aggressively expanding their Arctic presence, U.S. leadership in the region is no longer optional.

    Fine echoed those arguments while also emphasizing what he sees as Denmark’s failure to adequately govern and protect Greenland’s population.

    “Their poverty rate is high. Denmark hasn’t treated them well,” Fine said. “When war came to town, Denmark couldn’t protect them. Guess who protected Greenland during World War II? We did.”

    During World War II, the United States assumed responsibility for Greenland’s defense after Nazi Germany occupied Denmark, a historical point Republicans frequently cite as evidence of America’s longstanding role in safeguarding the island.

    Still, some GOP lawmakers were caught off guard earlier this month when White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt declined to rule out the use of military force if negotiations were to fail. While many Republicans agree with the strategic rationale behind U.S. ownership, there is broad consensus that any acquisition should be peaceful and voluntary.

    Asked directly whether he would support military action, Fine emphasized diplomacy.

    “I think the best way to acquire Greenland is voluntarily.”

    He also criticized Greenland’s current governance structure, framing the issue as both a strategic and ideological concern.

    “The poverty rate in Greenland is much, much higher than it is in Denmark. The country is run by socialists, and it is not in America’s interests to have a territory that large between the United States and Russia run by socialists,” Fine said.

    Under the U.S. Constitution, Congress holds the power to admit new states into the Union. The process typically involves Congress passing legislation authorizing statehood, followed by the drafting of a state constitution by the territory’s residents. That constitution must be approved locally before Congress votes again to formally admit the state, with final approval coming from the president.

    Supporters of the Greenland proposal argue that while statehood would be a lengthy process, securing U.S. sovereignty now would strengthen national security, protect American economic interests, and offer Greenland’s residents greater opportunity and stability under U.S. governance.

    Read:

    finefl_082_xml-2Download
    This race is a coin flip and Vivek NEEDS your help. Vivek Ramaswamy is defending the fundamental truths of America but he can’t do it alone. Join the fight and donate today!

    Trump’s DHS Chief Accuses Biden Administration Of ‘Cutting Terrorists Loose’

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    DHSgov, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

    The Biden administration let them go. Now Trump’s Homeland Security chief says his department is hunting them down.

    Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin leveled that explosive accusation Thursday, saying federal authorities have arrested 2,210 people he described as terrorists under President Donald Trump — and accusing the previous administration of releasing dangerous individuals into the country.

    “Most of them came over and claimed asylum, gave a fake name,” Mullin told the Ruthless Podcast in a clip released Thursday morning, according to The Daily Wire.

    “Some of them we caught, but a lot of them came in and … the Biden administration was just cutting them loose.”

    Mullin credited Trump with giving DHS a more aggressive mission: pursue threats before they strike.

    “One directive we had is we’re no longer just playing defense,” he said. “We’re on the offense. President Trump has given us the authority to go on the offensive.”

    A Troubling Paper Trail

    The accusation revives questions raised in an August 2024 report from the Republican-led House Judiciary Committee.

    The committee reported that DHS released at least 99 migrants on the terrorist watchlist into American communities after Border Patrol encountered them at the southwest border between fiscal years 2021 and 2023.

    That was out of more than 250 watchlisted migrants encountered during that period, according to the report. At least 34 others remained in DHS custody awaiting removal.

    The report also examined eight Tajik nationals with potential ISIS ties arrested in June 2024. Three had entered through ports of entry using appointments scheduled through the Biden administration’s CBP One app, the committee said.

    The distinction matters: appearing on the terrorist watchlist does not establish a terrorism conviction. The FBI describes the database as containing information about people reasonably suspected of involvement in terrorism or related activities.

    DHS’s own September announcement likewise used the category “known or suspected terrorists.” It reported more than 2,150 arrests and 2,015 deportations between January 20, 2025, and September 9, 2026. Mullin’s latest figure raises the arrest total, but his comments, as reported by The Daily Wire, did not identify the detainees’ organizational affiliations.

    Trump’s Bigger Offensive

    Trump has pushed the crackdown beyond traditional border enforcement.

    His January 20, 2025, executive order launched the process of designating international cartels and gangs as terrorist organizations, explicitly identifying Tren de Aragua and MS-13 as threats to American security. The administration subsequently designated those groups and the Sinaloa Cartel, among others.

    Then, in a March 7, 2026, proclamation, Trump called for those networks to be stripped of territory, financing and the resources needed to spread violence.

    They should be “demolished to the fullest extent possible consistent with applicable law,” the president declared. The proclamation also outlined plans to train and mobilize partner nations’ militaries against the cartels.

    Those designations broaden the backdrop to Mullin’s announcement. His arrest figure cannot automatically be read as a tally of ISIS or al-Qaeda operatives; the administration’s terrorist designations also encompass major criminal gangs and drug cartels.

    For Mullin, the message is pursuit — including in cyberspace.

    “We’re swimming upstream now,” he told Ruthless, according to The Daily Wire. “We’re going after the people that are coming after us.”

    Pentagon Chief Threatens Military Action Against Iran

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    1
    David B. Gleason from Chicago, IL, CC BY-SA 2.0 , via Wikimedia Commons

    Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth threatened military action against Iran on Wednesday night.

    “We see your LETHAL support to The Houthis. We know exactly what you are doing,” Hegseth said in a post on X. “You know very well what the U.S. Military is capable of — and you were warned. You will pay the CONSEQUENCE at the time and place of our choosing.”

    Hegseth’s post warning of military force is unusual for a defense secretary to make, especially so explicitly, though it appears to be in response to an incident earlier this week in the Red Sea that caused a U.S. fighter jet to fall off an aircraft carrier.

    On Monday, a Houthi drone forced the USS Harry S. Truman aircraft carrier to make an evasive maneuver, which some believe caused an F-18 Super Hornet worth $67 million and a tow tractor to fall off the carrier and into the Red Sea.

    The plane was actively under tow in a hangar bay when the crew lost control of the aircraft. Both the jet and tow went overboard and were lost in the sea, the Navy said.

    Trump elevated a military campaign against the terrorist group on March 15, and airstrikes have been launched against Houthi targets every day since then.

    After his post on Wednesday, Hegseth then retweeted a Truth Social post by President Donald Trump from March 17.

    “Let nobody be fooled! The hundreds of attacks being made by Houthi, the sinister mobsters and thugs based in Yemen, who are hated by the Yemeni people, all emanate from, and are created by, IRAN,” Trump posted. “Any further attack or retaliation by the ‘Houthis’ will be met with great force, and there is no guarantee that the force will stop there.

    “Iran has played the ‘innocent victim’ of rogue terrorists from which they’ve lost control, but they haven’t lost control. They’re dictating every move, giving them the weapons, supplying them with money and highly sophisticated Military equipment, and even, so-called, ‘Intelligence.’ Every shot fired by the Houthis will be looked upon, from this point forward, as being a shot fired from the weapons and leadership of IRAN, and IRAN will be held responsible, and suffer the consequences, and those consequences will be dire!”

    On Wednesday, President Donald Trump joked that embattled Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is his “least controversial person” during a cabinet meeting at the White House Wednesday.

    The lighthearted moment comes a little over a week after the former Fox News host was embroiled in a second Signalgate scandal.

    “I could start with Pete on the left because he is my least controversial person at the table,” Trump said to laughter as he motioned toward Hegseth. “We all know how good he is.”

    Read the full remarks here per Mediaite:

    DONALD TRUMP: With that, I think we’ll maybe go around and we have some letters where the secretaries and people around the table are making statements about how they are doing and what is happening and I could start with Pete on the left because he is my least controversial person at the table. [Laughter]

    We all know how good he is. We’ll go around the table and you can hear. These are cabinet meetings where they are very open and transparent. I can guarantee you Biden didn’t do this. He didn’t do this. Go ahead Pete.

    PETE HEGSETH: I think we’re controversial because we’re over the target. Like so many things, Mr. President, you inherited a demoralized military that couldn’t recruit, that was perceived as weak in Afghanistan and elsewhere because of Joe Biden. What we have seen since your election and the inauguration has been nothing short of a recruiting renaissance. Decades since we’ve seen this kind of recruiting in the army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force. The men and women of America want to join the United States military led by President Donald Trump.

    TRUMP: And the police, by the way. And fire. I always mention the fire but the police and fire likewise are — I mean, they have waiting lists now. And six months ago, it was a disaster.

    HEGSETH: Truly historic. We can barely absorb the volume and retention as well. Men and women in the military who don’t want to get out now that they have a real commander in chief. We’re reinforcing standards. Gonna be fit, not fat in our formations. Welcome back all the COVID — the folks who were forced out because of the COVID mandate. We ripped wokeness out of the military, sir, DEI, trans and it’s Fort Benning and Fort Bragg again at the DOD. We’re rebuilding the military, sir.

    The Golden Dome is well underway. F-47, reassuring allies and deterring enemies. We found nearly $6 billion in DOGE savings that we’re going to reinvest, including $50 billion from the Biden administration focused on things like climate that have nothing to do with lethality and war fighting. And we will have as you said, sir, the first trillion-dollar budget we plan to spend wisely on behalf of our warfighters.

    From Day one, sir, we have helped get 100% operational control of the border. Come alongside DHS and CBP. We’ve got 11,000 troops on the border who now, because of the new national defense area, sir, can help detain illegals at the border and hand them over to CBP. It used to be if you saw camouflage on the border, they could hold binoculars, and that’s it. Now we can detain and assist and we are.

    We’ll get 100% operational control of the border. Our NATO allies know they have to step up. The Houthis in the Middle East are feeling the weight of American power and we’re deterring communist China. So because of your leadership, sir, I believe we’re making the military great again. Thank you.

    Illinois Man Charged After Repeated Calls For Trump’s Execution

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
    -
    3

    Federal authorities say an Illinois man repeatedly posted videos calling for President Donald Trump’s execution, prompting a Secret Service investigation and a federal charge for making interstate threats.

    A criminal complaint filed Oct. 31 in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois and unsealed Monday identifies the defendant as Trent Schneider, 57, of Winthrop Harbor. He is charged with making a true threat to injure another person in interstate commerce.

    Authorities say Schneider posted violent videos and memes on Instagram as his home faced foreclosure. In a video posted Oct. 16, the complaint alleges he looked into the camera and said, “People like me have suffered real f—ing crimes from f—ing judges, doctors, lawyers, police. They all should be killed. All of them should be executed for what they’ve done.”

    The affidavit quotes Schneider continuing, “They need to be killed. They need to be executed, ok? They are frauds, ok? I think it’s time. I’ve waited long enough. I’m going to get some guns. I know where I can get a lot of f—ing guns and I am going to take care of business myself. I’m tired of all you f—ing frauds. People need to f—ing die and people are going to die. F— all of you, especially you, Trump. You should be executed.”

    Prosecutors contend Schneider reposted the same video nearly 20 times, often tagging Trump Tower Chicago; each post included the caption: “THIS IS NOT A THREAT!!! … AFTER LOSING EVERYTHING and My House Auction date is 11.04.2025 @realDonaldTrump SHOULD BE EXECUTED!!!”

    A viewer in Florida reported one post to authorities, which led the Secret Service to identify Schneider’s Instagram account and open an investigation. Agents visited his Winthrop Harbor home on Oct. 22 and observed cameras on tripods in the driveway. Schneider reportedly came outside, ordered officers off his property and later posted a video showing them leaving, again with the execution caption.

    The complaint notes prior encounters with law enforcement: Schneider was interviewed in 2022 over violent posts targeting public officials and later arrested that year after allegedly threatening to “shoot up” a T-Mobile store. A court found him unfit to stand trial in 2023.

    According to prosecutors, Schneider’s social-media anger appeared linked to his home’s impending foreclosure, set for auction on Nov. 4. He allegedly referenced “losing everything” and blamed judges and other officials he labeled “frauds.”

    CBS Chicago reported the Secret Service enlisted the Lake County Sheriff’s Office and a SWAT team to execute arrest and search warrants; Schneider was taken into custody without incident.

    If convicted on the federal charge, he faces up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $250,000, the Justice Department says.

    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.
    123...14Page 1 of 14
    © Great America News Desk 2022