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Federal Judge Blocks National Guard Deployment Amid Constitutional Challenge

By
Madeleine Jackson
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0
Competitors in the 2024 Army National Guard Best Warrior Competition run a 1-kilometer route as part of the competition’s biathlon event at Ethan Allen Firing Range, Vermont, Aug. 6, 2024. The Best Warrior Competition is a physically and mentally challenging five-day event that tests Soldiers on a variety of tactical and technical skills. Winners are named the Army Guard Soldier and Noncommissioned Officer of the Year and move on to compete in the Department of the Army Best Squad Competition, with other Soldiers from the Best Warrior Competition filling out the ranks of their squad. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Jon Soucy)

On pause…

On Sunday, a federal judge intervened in President Donald Trump’s plan to deploy National Guardsmen to Portland, Oregon handing a win to California Gov. Gavin Newsom.

U.S. District Judge Karin Immergut ruled the action was unlawful and unconstitutional, issuing an emergency temporary restraining order to halt the deployment of California’s National Guard. The order also bars the use of troops from any other state or Washington, D.C. in Oregon.

Trump’s move came after a federal judge he appointed temporarily blocked him from deploying 200 Oregon National Guardsmen to Portland, which Newsom pointed out in a second post:

“After a federal court blocked his attempt to federalize the Oregon National Guard, Donald Trump is deploying 300 California National Guard personnel into Oregon. They are on their way there now. We are taking this fight back to court. The public cannot stay silent in the face of such reckless and authoritarian conduct by the President of the United States.”

Immergut’s ruling says that the Trump administration’s action violates federal statute 10 U.S.C. §12406 and the Tenth Amendment.

“It appears to violate both 10 U.S.C. §12406 and the Tenth Amendment,” Immergut said during the proceeding, according to reporting from Adam Klasfeld of AllRise News.

Immergut also pressed Justice Department attorney Eric Hamilton on why the DOJ continued to pursue troop movements, according to Fox News.

“How could bringing in federalized National Guard from California not be in direct contravention of the TRO that I issued yesterday?” she asked.
“You’re an officer of the court. Aren’t defendants circumventing my order?”

Hamilton went on to deny any wrongdoing but did offer a defense to which Immergut pushed back.

“You have to have a colorable claim that Oregon conditions warrant deploying the National Guard — you don’t.”

Oregon’s Scott Kennedy said it felt like “a game of rhetorical Whac-A-Mole” and referenced reports that Trump may be considering sending Texas National Guard troops to Chicago.

DOJ representatives requested a stay, but Immergut denied both the stay and the administrative delay, saying it was an “emergency” and there were no new facts to justify the request to change her previous ruling.

“I’m handling this on an emergency basis with limited briefing,” she said. “No new information has been provided about any new issues in Portland.”

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) immediately took to X to boast.

“BREAKING: We just won in court — again. A federal judge BLOCKED Donald Trump’s unlawful attempt to DEPLOY 300 OF OUR NATIONAL GUARD TROOPS TO PORTLAND. The court granted our request for a Temporary Restraining Order — HALTING ANY FEDERALIZATION, RELOCATION, OR DEPLOYMENT of ANY GUARD MEMBERS TO OREGON FROM ANY STATE. Trump’s abuse of power won’t stand,” the post stated.

The Justice Department has made indications that it will be appealing the ruling.

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Blinken Says Biden Laid Groundwork for Trump’s Gaza Plan

    By
    Madeleine Jackson
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    Joe Biden via Gage Skidmore Flickr

    Former Secretary of State Antony Blinken voiced his support this week for a Gaza plan laid out by President Donald Trump, saying it was in line with a deal he pursued under former President Joe Biden.

    “I do think it’s cause for some hope. I certainly hope that the plan gets fully accepted, fully adopted and fully implemented,” Blinken said.

    “This is essentially the plan that developed over many months and more or less [was] left in a drawer for the incoming administration, and I’m very, very glad they picked it up,” he told the podcast of former federal prosecutor Preet Bharara.

    But he also acknowledged risks in the framework, including allowing Israel to determine when the situation allows it to withdraw fully from Gaza.

    “There’s some loopholes that they could drive a truck through if they wanted to,” Blinken said of Israel.

    Blinken traveled a dozen times to the Middle East after the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel by Hamas, eventually seeking to press both sides to accept a ceasefire as Israel waged a relentless retaliatory offensive.

    President Donald Trump announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu agreed to his plan to end Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip during a press conference at the White House that followed a meeting between the two leaders on Monday.

    The United States released Trump’s 20-point plan in full moments before Trump and Netanyahu stepped out in front of reporters for the press conference.

    “I also want to thank Prime Minister Netanyahu for agreeing to the plan, and for trusting that if we work together, we can bring an end to the death and destruction that we’ve seen for so many years decades, even centuries. And begin a new chapter of security, peace, and prosperity for the entire region,” said Trump in his opening remarks.

    Read Trump’s peace plan, in full, below:

    1. Gaza will be a deradicalized terror-free zone that does not pose a threat to its neighbors.

    2. Gaza will be redeveloped for the benefit of the people of Gaza, who have suffered more than enough.

    3. If both sides agree to this proposal, the war will immediately end. Israeli forces will withdraw to the agreed upon line to prepare for a hostage release. During this time, all military operations, including aerial and artillery bombardment, will be suspended, and battle lines will remain frozen until conditions are met for the complete staged withdrawal.

    4. Within 72 hours of Israel publicly accepting this agreement, all hostages, alive and deceased, will be returned.

    5. Once all hostages are released, Israel will release 250 life sentence prisoners plus 1700 Gazans who were detained after October 7th 2023, including all women and children detained in that context. For every Israeli hostage whose remains are released, Israel will release the remains of 15 deceased Gazans.

    6. Once all hostages are returned, Hamas members who commit to peaceful co-existence and to decommission their weapons will be given amnesty. Members of Hamas who wish to leave Gaza will be provided safe passage to receiving countries.

    7. Upon acceptance of this agreement, full aid will be immediately sent into the Gaza Strip. At a minimum, aid quantities will be consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads.

    8. Entry of distribution and aid in the Gaza Strip will proceed without interference from the two parties through the United Nations and its agencies, and the Red Crescent, in addition to other international institutions not associated in any manner with either party. Opening the Rafah crossing in both directions will be subject to the same mechanism implemented under the January 19, 2025 agreement.

    9. Gaza will be governed under the temporary transitional governance of a technocratic, apolitical Palestinian committee, responsible for delivering the day-to-day running of public services and municipalities for the people in Gaza. This committee will be made up of qualified Palestinians and international experts, with oversight and supervision by a new international transitional body, the “Board of Peace,” which will be headed and chaired by President Donald J. Trump, with other members and heads of State to be announced, including Former Prime Minister Tony Blair. This body will set the framework and handle the funding for the redevelopment of Gaza until such time as the Palestinian Authority has completed its reform program, as outlined in various proposals, including President Trump’s peace plan in 2020 and the Saudi-French proposal, and can securely and effectively take back control of Gaza. This body will call on best international standards to create modern and efficient governance that serves the people of Gaza and is conducive to attracting investment.

    10. A Trump economic development plan to rebuild and energize Gaza will be created by convening a panel of experts who have helped birth some of the thriving modern miracle cities in the Middle East. Many thoughtful investment proposals and exciting development ideas have been crafted by well-meaning international groups, and will be considered to synthesize the security and governance frameworks to attract and facilitate these investments that will create jobs, opportunity, and hope for future Gaza.

    11. A special economic zone will be established with preferred tariff and access rates to be negotiated with participating countries.

    12. No one will be forced to leave Gaza, and those who wish to leave will be free to do so and free to return. We will encourage people to stay and offer them the opportunity to build a better Gaza.

    13. Hamas and other factions agree to not have any role in the governance of Gaza, directly, indirectly, or in any form. All military, terror, and offensive infrastructure, including tunnels and weapon production facilities, will be destroyed and not rebuilt. There will be a process of demilitarization of Gaza under the supervision of independent monitors, which will include placing weapons permanently beyond use through an agreed process of decommissioning, and supported by an internationally funded buy back and reintegration program all verified by the independent monitors. New Gaza will be fully committed to building a prosperous economy and to peaceful coexistence with their neighbors.

    14. A guarantee will be provided by regional partners to ensure that Hamas, and the factions, comply with their obligations and that New Gaza poses no threat to its neighbors or its people.

    15. The United States will work with Arab and international partners to develop a temporary International Stabilization Force (ISF) to immediately deploy in Gaza. The ISF will train and provide support to vetted Palestinian police forces in Gaza, and will consult with Jordan and Egypt who have extensive experience in this field. This force will be the long-term internal security solution. The ISF will work with Israel and Egypt to help secure border areas, along with newly trained Palestinian police forces. It is critical to prevent munitions from entering Gaza and to facilitate the rapid and secure flow of goods to rebuild and revitalize Gaza. A deconfliction mechanism will be agreed upon by the parties.

    16. Israel will not occupy or annex Gaza. As the ISF establishes control and stability, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) will withdraw based on standards, milestones, and timeframes linked to demilitarization that will be agreed upon between the IDF, ISF, the guarantors, and the Unites States, with the objective of a secure Gaza that no longer poses a threat to Israel, Egypt, or its citizens. Practically, the IDF will progressively hand over the Gaza territory it occupies to the ISF according to an agreement they will make with the transitional authority until they are withdrawn completely from Gaza, save for a security perimeter presence that will remain until Gaza is properly secure from any resurgent terror threat.

    17. In the event Hamas delays or rejects this proposal, the above, including the scaled-up aid operation, will proceed in the terror-free areas handed over from the IDF to the ISF.

    18. An interfaith dialogue process will be established based on the values of tolerance and peaceful co-existence to try and change mindsets and narratives of Palestinians and Israelis by emphasizing the benefits that can be derived from peace.

    19. While Gaza re-development advances and when the PA reform program is faithfully carried out, the conditions may finally be in place for a credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination and statehood, which we recognize as the aspiration of the Palestinian people.

    20. The United States will establish a dialogue between Israel and the Palestinians to agree on a political horizon for peaceful and prosperous co-existence.

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    Conservative Activist Uses Pepper Spray During Confrontation At DC’s Union Station

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      0
      Arrest image via Pixabay

      A tense confrontation at Washington, D.C.’s Union Station went viral this week after conservative activist Cam Higby pepper-sprayed a woman who was caught on video lunging at him and striking him with his MAGA hat. Higby says the incident proves why his “Fearless Tour,” inspired by the late Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, is needed now more than ever — to confront political hostility head-on while encouraging open and peaceful debate.

      Higby and his team had stopped at Union Station on Wednesday after hosting a debate event at the University of Maryland. In an interview with Fox News Digital, he said they were quietly sitting and talking with nearby protesters when a woman approached and became combative.

      “At some point, she dropped to her knees, intentionally … and she started yelling at us and started touching us,” Higby recalled. “I told her to back up and stop touching me, and she lunged at me and attacked me.”

      Video footage shows the woman shoving Higby back in his chair, seizing his MAGA hat, and hitting him with it before falling into a bush — at which point Higby deployed pepper spray to stop the attack.

      Higby noted he couldn’t tell if the woman was armed because she kept her hands in her pockets for much of the encounter. After being sprayed, she was seen being helped by fellow protesters, who poured water on her eyes and called the police.

      While officers initially appeared unlikely to make an arrest, the situation escalated when U.S. Park Police arrived. According to Higby, the woman turned aggressive again, resisted arrest, and even assaulted officers.

      “At this point now, she’s struggling with federal police, and then they tried to arrest her,” Higby said. “Her dad is yelling at us, ‘why did you spray my daughter,’ as she’s actively fighting with federal police. In my head, I’m thinking, this is why she got sprayed. It took four federal police officers to hold her down, and finally they loaded her into the back of the police car.”

      Police reports listed Higby and his colleague as victims, and the woman is expected to face federal charges.

      Growing Concerns About Violence Toward Conservatives

      The confrontation highlights a troubling trend: the increasing threat of political violence, particularly against conservatives. In recent years, Republican candidates, activists, and everyday voters have reported intimidation and harassment, from attacks on campaign volunteers to threats at events and rallies. Several high-profile incidents — including assaults on GOP canvassers and confrontations on college campuses — have raised alarm about whether conservatives can safely express their views in public. Free speech advocates warn that political polarization, combined with media narratives that vilify right-of-center voices, may be fueling hostility and emboldening bad actors.

      Despite criticism that his style provokes confrontation, Higby emphasized that his team’s approach is about debate, not violence. His group often sets up discussion tables on college campuses with signs such as “The left is violent! Let’s Debate!” — but he pointed out that at Union Station, there was no signage, and the only identifying factor was their MAGA hats.

      “We want people fired up. We want people to be excited to talk about political issues, but what we don’t invite people to do is touch us, and that’s the problem,” Higby said. “I think most of my takes are pretty reasonable. That’s your problem, not my problem — if you have such low impulse control that you can’t stop yourself from using physical violence.”

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      Former Democrat Candidate Charged With Domestic Battery

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      0

      Back in the spotlight…

      A former Democrat candidate for the Virginia legislature, whose X-rated movies with her husband were exposed before the election, was charged with domestic violence this week.

      Susanna Gibson Payne, 42, was arrested on September 22 for “assault and battery” against a family member. Payne claimed that her husband, 44-year-old John David Gibson, has been harassing her amid their divorce since last year.

      “After my estranged husband, arrested three times since I filed for divorce, assaulted me during a June 2025 custody exchange while I protected our son, he filed a retaliatory criminal complaint against me,” she said.

      Payne said she turned herself in after a misdemeanor warrant was issued.

      The Democrat’s husband denied ever assaulting his wife. Mediaite reported that Gibson was arrested in December for violating a protection order and using threatening language with his wife. He said the incident stemmed from a tense argument with his wife’s new boyfriend.

      Payne and Gibson grabbed headlines in 2023 when Payne was running for office, and videos the couple had posted on the porn site Chaturbate were discovered and exposed.

      The couple was accused of making the videos for “tips,” though they denied that the videos were for profit. At the time, Payne said she was determined to stay in the race.

      “My political opponents and their Republican allies have proven they’re willing to commit a sex crime to attack me and my family because there’s no line they won’t cross to silence women when they speak up,” she said.

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      Liberal City Hit With Class Action Lawsuit Over Reparations Scheme

      By
      Donny Ferguson
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      2

      A left-wing city council faces a class action lawsuit from concerned citizens over a scheme to give an average $25,000 in financial assistance to citizens based on their skin color.

      The non-profit public interest law firm Judicial Watch announced in a statement a hearing in its “class action civil rights lawsuit filed against Evanston, Illinois, on behalf of six individuals over the city’s reparations program.”

      “To date, Evanston has awarded over $6,350,000 to 254 individuals based on their race. The city must be stopped before it spends even more money on this clearly discriminatory and unconstitutional reparations program,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton.

      “The court ordered the in-person hearing for oral argument on Evanston’s pending motion to dismiss the lawsuit,” Judicial Watch reports.

      Judicial Watch reports it “filed the lawsuit over the city’s use of race as an eligibility requirement for a reparations program, which makes $25,000 direct cash payments to black residents and descendants of black residents who lived in Evanston between the years 1919 and 1969.”

      According to The New Republic, program will also reportedly give financial assistance to their descendants, who never experienced racism in Evanston.

      Judicial Watch alleges “that the program violates the Equal Protection Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.”

      In its response to the city’s motion to dismiss, Judicial Watch states:

      [T]he program’s use of a race-based eligibility requirement is presumptively unconstitutional, and remedying societal discrimination is not a compelling government interest. Nor has remedying discrimination from as many as 105 years ago or remedying intergenerational discrimination ever been recognized as a compelling government interest. Among the program’s other fatal flaws is that it uses race as a proxy for discrimination without requiring proof of discrimination. 

      Senator Kennedy’s Latest Book Strikes Back — Politicians Are Stunned [CONTRIBUTE TODAY TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY]

      FBI Sued For Records On Collusion With Anti-Trump Group

      By
      Donny Ferguson
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      2

      Americans may soon learn more about how a FBI agent worked with a liberal group to target President Donald Trump in a criminal investigation.

      The non-profit public interest law firm Judicial Watch announced in a statement it “filed a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Justice for communications between former Assistant Special Agent in Charge Timothy Thibault and the anti-Trump organization American Oversight.”

      “It’s a shame that we must sue to get these records about how the Biden gang at the FBI and DOJ tried to rig an election by jailing Trump for disputing the 2020 election,” said Judicial Watch President Tom Fitton. “It’s past time for these institutions to focus on transparency under law, so the American people can know the full truth on the lawfare attack perpetrated on Trump.”

      Judicial Watch reports it filed the suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia “after the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) failed to respond to a January 31, 2025, FOIA request for:”

      Records and communications between Timothy Thibault, former [Assistant Special Agent in Charge, Washington Field Office] and the non-profit organization American Oversight, 1030 15th St. NW, B255, Washington, D.C. 20005, email domain: @americanoversight. The search terms for this request are a) Trump b) Electors c) Investigation d) election

      According to Judicial Watch, “in July 2022, U.S. Senator Chuck Grassley (R-IA) reportedly warned then-Attorney General Merrick Garland that Thibault and an official in the Justice Department’s Public Integrity Section, Richard Pilger, were ‘deeply involved in the decisions to open and pursue election-related investigations against President Trump. At the time, whistleblowers told Grassley that the Thibault-Pilger investigation’s predicating document was based on information from “liberal nonprofit American Oversight.”’ Thibault retired in August 2022.”

      Grassley and Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI) have revealed in a statement that:

      Internal FBI emails and predicating documents provided to Grassley and released jointly by the two senators show Timothy Thibault, a former FBI Assistant Special Agent in Charge (ASAC) who was forced to retire from the Bureau after Grassley exposed his public anti-Trump bias, authored the initial language for what ultimately became Jack Smith’s federal case against Trump regarding the 2020 presidential election. Records show Thibault essentially opened and approved his own investigation.

      Judicial Watch reports American Oversight describes itself as “founded in 2017 in response to the unprecedented challenges that the Trump administration posed to our nation’s democratic ideals and institutions.…” Earlier this year, Politico described it as, “A left-leaning watchdog group … working to gather materials that could feed Congressional investigations into the Trump administration.”

      Senator Kennedy’s Latest Book Strikes Back — Politicians Are Stunned [CONTRIBUTE TODAY TO RECEIVE A FREE COPY]

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

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      1
      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.

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      Trump Plans To Capitalize On Schumer Shutdown With Plan To Axe Federal Agencies

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      5

      President Donald Trump announced he is scheduled to meet with Russ Vought, director of the Office of Management and Budget, to discuss which parts of the government he recommends cutting amid the Schumer Shutdown.

      “I have a meeting today with Russ Vought, he of PROJECT 2025 Fame, to determine which of the many Democrat Agencies, most of which are a political SCAM, he recommends to be cut, and whether or not those cuts will be temporary or permanent,” the president wrote on Truth Social Thursday morning.

      “I can’t believe the Radical Left Democrats gave me this unprecedented opportunity,” he continued. “They are not stupid people, so maybe this is their way of wanting to, quietly and quickly, MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!” 

      Trump Warns of Necessary Cuts as Shutdown Looms

      President Trump said Tuesday that while he would prefer to avoid a government shutdown, it could provide an opportunity to continue his mission of restoring fiscal sanity in Washington and eliminating wasteful spending.

      “We don’t want it to shut down because we have the greatest economy and investment environment ever,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “We’ve got $17 trillion being invested in this country right now. So the last person who wants a shutdown is us.”

      “But with that being said,” he continued, “a shutdown allows us to make reforms that are otherwise impossible — cutting bloated programs, trimming the fat, and removing layers of bureaucracy that serve no one but Washington insiders.”

      A government funding lapse doesn’t give the president new powers, but it does shift discretion to the White House and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to determine which programs must continue and which can pause. The Antideficiency Act requires agencies to halt nonessential spending when Congress fails to pass appropriations, while preserving core constitutional and national security functions.

      Trump praised OMB Director Russell Vought for his leadership on budget discipline. “Russell Vought has been very popular lately because he knows how to bring the budget under control in ways Congress never would,” Trump said. “Shutdowns have risk for Democrats too — because during them, we can finally cut things they love to spend on, things that waste taxpayer dollars, and no one can reverse it.”

      Later that day, Trump reiterated that he wants a deal but will not ignore the chance to protect taxpayers if Democrats refuse to negotiate responsibly. “A lot of good can come from this,” he said. “We can finally weed out overspending and save Americans’ hard-earned money.”

      Vought, in a memo Tuesday evening, declared that a shutdown appeared unavoidable because of what he called “Democrats’ insane policy demands, including $1 trillion in new spending.” He told federal employees to prepare for an orderly pause in operations.

      Vice President JD Vance: Focus on Essential Services

      On Wednesday, Vice President JD Vance joined the White House press briefing to emphasize that while the administration expects the shutdown to be brief, some workforce reductions are unavoidable.

      “We’re going to have to make things work,” Vance said. “That means prioritizing essential functions and, unfortunately, letting go of some nonessential positions. Our goal is to make sure the American people feel as little pain as possible.”

      Vance pushed back on criticism that the administration is using the shutdown for partisan targeting: “We’re not going after agencies because of politics. We’re trying to keep critical services running, even when Democrats refuse to fund the government responsibly.”

      The Drive to Make Government Leaner

      These measures are part of Trump’s larger effort to make the federal government lean, accountable, and responsive to voters — not entrenched bureaucrats. In January, the administration offered voluntary buyouts for employees ready to step aside and avoid deeper cuts. Those were followed by reduction-in-force (RIF) plans across agencies with low performance or duplication of services.

      In his March address to Congress, Trump pledged to “reclaim power from unaccountable bureaucracy and return it to the American people.”

      “Any federal bureaucrat who resists this change will be removed from office,” Trump said. “We’re draining the swamp. The days of rule by unelected bureaucrats are over.”

      DOGE and the Push Against Waste

      Central to this reform is the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), created to root out waste, fraud, and abuse. Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk was tapped to lead DOGE’s oversight efforts — leveraging innovation and private-sector discipline to expose costly, ineffective programs.

      DOGE has flagged millions in questionable foreign aid and pet projects that have little to do with serving Americans, including:

      • $25 million for “biodiversity and socially responsible behavior” in Colombia
      • $40 million to “improve the social and economic inclusion of sedentary migrants”
      • $42 million for “social and behavior change” initiatives in Uganda
      • $10 million for circumcision programs in Mozambique

      “Why are we paying for these things abroad when our own border is wide open and Americans are struggling?” Trump asked at CPAC, highlighting the findings.

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      Cartel Leader Admits That President Trump’s Cartel Crackdown Works

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      1
      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.”

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      Report: Trump Admin Sends Over 100 Iranians Back To Tehran In Rare Deal

      By
      Madeleine Jackson
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      2
      By United States Government - https://x.com/PressSec/status/1882759560613527770, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=159931598

      The Trump administration has reportedly deported a planeload of more than 100 Iranians under a deal struck with the Iranian government.

      Iranian officials confirmed to The New York Times that the planeload of migrants took off from Louisiana on Monday night and was expected to arrive in Iran via Qatar on Tuesday. A U.S. official also reportedly confirmed the plan to the outlet.

      Monday’s round of deportations is the first step in a larger plan to deport approximately 400 Iranian nationals.

      “The Trump Administration is committed to fulfilling President Trump’s promise to carry out the largest mass deportation operation of illegal aliens in history, using all the tools at our disposal,” White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson told Fox News on Tuesday.

      The deal marks a rare instance of cooperation between Tehran and the US, which saw heightened tensions in the wake of this summer’s strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities.

      Iranian officials told The Times that the deportation deal came about after months of discussions between the two nations.

      The identities of the Iranian deportees are unknown, but The Times reported that the group included men and women, some of whom were couples. The outlet also noted, citing Iranian officials, that some of the deportees volunteered to leave the U.S. after spending time in detention centers, while others were not going voluntarily.

      Iranian officials also told The Times that in almost every case, the deportees either had asylum requests denied or had yet to appear before a judge for a hearing on their requests.

      “We have urged the American government to respect the rights of Iranian migrants and their citizenship rights under international law. They must not be denied consular services, fair judicial process, or the principles enshrined in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights,” Noushabadi told Tasnim news agency.

      Another official told the news agency that the individuals being deported had left Iran legally, but how they entered the U.S. was “another matter.” For decades, the U.S. had granted refuge to Iranians fleeing political repression due to the regime’s reputation for brutal human rights abuses.

      READ NEXT: New York Man Charged With Murdering Parents After Stunning TV Interview Confession

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