During a cabinet meeting, President Trump announced the imminent commencement of land-based missile strikes against drug smugglers, escalating the ongoing conflict. This decision follows alleged war crimes committed during strikes on drug boats off the coast of Venezuela. Trump also stated that any country producing drugs that reach America is subject to these attacks. The administration’s actions and rhetoric are drawing criticism and prompting investigations, while also garnering support from certain figures.
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During a Cabinet meeting, President Trump dismissed voters’ concerns about affordability, claiming it was a “Democrat scam” despite polls indicating that many Americans blame his policies for rising prices. He further asserted that these affordability concerns were fueled by “fake news,” despite previously campaigning on lowering costs. This stance contradicts a recent Yahoo/YouGov poll revealing that a significant portion of Americans believe Trump’s policies have raised prices. Democrats responded with criticism, accusing Trump of gaslighting Americans and highlighting the impact of his policies on working families.
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Former Honduran President Juan Orlando Hernández has been granted a full pardon by President Donald Trump, erasing his drug-trafficking conviction and 45-year prison sentence. The pardon has drawn criticism from both Republican and Democratic lawmakers who question the message it sends regarding the administration’s stance on drug trafficking and regional stability. Despite the criticism, the White House has defended the pardon, attributing the prosecution to political motivations. Hernández’s release has been confirmed, and his attorney expressed gratitude to President Trump for the action.
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The Pentagon has recently undergone a shift in its press corps, with several right-wing outlets and influencers, including Laura Loomer, gaining credentials. These new arrivals, however, immediately faced criticism after mistakenly claiming to occupy the desk of a Washington Post reporter, leading to mockery and corrections from the ousted press corps. The transition has raised concerns about the objectivity of reporting, especially with the Trump administration’s defense strategies and its military buildup in the Caribbean, coming under scrutiny. The shakeup comes amidst increasing questions regarding the legality of military actions.
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Investigative reporter Jason Leopold reported that the FBI spent over $850,000 in overtime pay to process and redact files related to the Jeffrey Epstein case. This information was revealed in documents released by the FBI in response to a civil lawsuit. The documents showed 934 agents worked over 14,000 hours on the project, which was part of the “Epstein Transparency Project 2025.” While the documents confirm significant overtime pay, they do not offer evidence that the redactions were specifically to remove Donald Trump’s name or solely for “redaction training.”
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The White House has issued a statement defending Donald Trump’s decision to commute the prison sentence of former private equity executive David Gentile. Gentile was released after serving less than two weeks of a seven-year sentence for a $1.6 billion fraud scheme. The Biden administration claims it could not tie any fraudulent representations to Gentile and views the case as an example of justice being weaponized. Despite the commutation, Gentile’s conviction for conspiracy to commit securities fraud, conspiracy to commit wire fraud, and securities fraud remains in place.
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Hegseth’s book reveals a disdain for military regulations, particularly those he believed hindered combat effectiveness. He is quoted as telling his platoon to disregard certain rules of engagement, prioritizing the elimination of perceived threats. The author frequently criticizes what he perceives as excessive concern for international opinion, prioritizing victory above all else. Hegseth’s admiration for his commander, Colonel Michael Steele, who faced reprimand for allegedly ordering the killing of military-aged males, is evident.
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Pope Leo has cautioned President Trump against using military force to remove Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro. Instead, the Pope has suggested pursuing dialogue or economic pressure for regime change. The Pope criticized the mixed signals emanating from the U.S. regarding the situation, highlighting the inconsistency in messaging. Trump’s actions, including airspace closures and military deployments, have fueled speculation about an imminent strike, despite Maduro denying the accusations and denouncing the threats.
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Following a student’s submission of a paper labeling transgender people as “demonic” and gender roles as “Biblically ordained,” the University of Oklahoma placed a trans graduate instructor on administrative leave. The instructor, who graded the paper with a zero for failing to meet academic criteria, received backlash from the student and right-wing media outlets. The university, after receiving a religious discrimination complaint, initiated a review process, supported by a statement from Governor Kevin Stitt. This has escalated the situation into a statewide debate concerning LGBTQ+ inclusion and the boundaries of academic freedom.
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During Mobile World Congress 2024, Michael and Susan Dell announced a $6.25 billion commitment to fund investment accounts for approximately 25 million American children, marking the largest donation of its kind. This initiative aims to support families and encourage savings, aligning with a new federal program providing tax-advantaged investment accounts for children under 18, with initial grants of $1,000 for eligible newborns. The Dells’ contribution will include $250 to children aged 10 and under who were born before January 1, 2025, in specified income-based ZIP codes, while Dell Technologies will also match government grants for employee’s children. These “Trump accounts” are designed to boost children’s financial futures and are limited to investment in diversified funds, encouraging additional parental contributions.
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John Q. Hosedrinker