Author name: Justin Murray

Major HHS Report Finds Very Low Evidence Supporting Pediatric Gender Treatments
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Major HHS Report Finds Very Low Evidence Supporting Pediatric Gender Treatments

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The Department of Health and Human Services released a 410-page peer-reviewed report on Wednesday assessing medical practices related to pediatric gender dysphoria, following President Donald Trump’s Jan. 28 executive order directing federal agencies to ensure that institutions receiving federal funding “end the chemical and surgical mutilation of children.”

As The Blaze reported, the report reviews evidence surrounding puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and surgical procedures and details concerns about safety, data reliability, and long-term outcomes.

Admiral Brian Christine, assistant secretary for HHS, told Blaze News, “This is a new day in the Department of Health and Human Services. It’s a new day in the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, a new day for the country. It is because of President Trump and Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. that this information has come out.”

Robert F. Kennedy Jr. testifies before the Senate Finance Committee during a confirmation hearing on his nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services on Jan. 29, 2025, in Washington DC.

The publication, titled Treatment for Pediatric Gender Dysphoria: Review of Evidence and Best Practices, outlines medical risks and uncertainties associated with hormonal and surgical interventions and examines professional guidelines, ethical considerations, and what it describes as an “international retreat” from gender-affirming medical practices.

The report’s authors found the quality of evidence for long-term health and psychological outcomes to be “very low.”

The report notes concerns about infertility, sexual dysfunction, impaired bone density accrual, surgical complications, and various heart, metabolic, and psychiatric disorders.

It also states that publication bias and inadequate tracking of negative outcomes may have limited understanding of the full impact of these interventions. It concludes that U.S. medical associations “fell short of their duty” when adopting and expanding gender-affirming practices.

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said in a statement:

“The American Medical Association and the American Academy of Pediatrics peddled the lie that chemical and surgical sex-rejecting procedures could be good for children. They betrayed their oath to first do no harm, and their so-called ‘gender-affirming care’ has inflicted lasting physical and psychological damage on vulnerable young people. That is not medicine — it’s malpractice.”

The report also highlights earlier changes to minimum age recommendations made by the World Professional Association of Transgender Health.

Rachel Levine, assistant secretary for HHS under the Biden administration, had urged the organization to lower its age minimums for surgical and hormonal interventions.

Levine’s successor, Christine, told Blaze News, “There was absolutely an effort by the prior administration and, very specifically, an absolute effort by the individual who was the prior assistant secretary for health, Rachel Levine,” to continue advancing these practices.

Christine said financial incentives contributed to the expansion of gender-related medical interventions.

“It’s literally a billion-dollar industry. It creates lifelong customers.”

He also stated that gender dysphoria is “an emotional and mental condition” and said mental health treatment is essential for minors experiencing it.

“You should treat them with mental health care because we know that if you do, the majority of these kids, by the time they’re in their late teens, are very comfortable in their own skin,” he said.

Neeraja Deshpande, policy analyst for the Independent Women’s Forum, said the report “confirms once and for all what never should have been up for debate to begin with: that so-called surgical and chemical body alteration in the name of ‘gender transition’ is a medical danger to children.”

Terry Schilling, president of the American Principles Project, told Blaze News, “The HHS report should put an end to the scourge of child mutilation masquerading as health care.”

Schilling said the report demonstrates that the “gender industrial complex relies on bad faith, bad science, and a radical ideology that places the financial interest of drug companies over those of children.”

Schilling indicated that legal exposure may increase for institutions that performed these procedures. He referenced litigation such as the lawsuit filed by detransitioner Chloe Cole against Kaiser Permanente.

Schilling also praised experts whose names appear on the report, saying, “They’re very courageous for doing this. This is a very powerful and embedded industry.”

Christine said he believes the report could have a significant effect going forward. “Yeah, we certainly hope so. We certainly believe it will be,” he said.

“Listen, our job in the administration is to protect our children, protect our citizens. Our job is to produce gold-standard science. That’s exactly what we have done. It’s exactly what we’re doing.”

Marjorie Taylor Greene Reports Violent Threats, Says Trump Triggered Them
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Marjorie Taylor Greene Reports Violent Threats, Says Trump Triggered Them

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Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene of Georgia said Monday that she has received violent threats in recent days and claimed they are connected to criticism from President Donald Trump and others over her position on releasing the Epstein files.

The vote on releasing the documents is scheduled for Tuesday, as reported by the Blaze.

Greene said the increase in threats coincided with what she described as escalating rhetoric directed at her.

Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene, R-Ga., wears a Trump hat (R-Ga.) at President Donald Trump’s address to joint session of Congress.

“President Trump’s unwarranted and vicious attacks against me were a dog whistle to dangerous radicals that could lead to serious attacks on me and my family,” she wrote on social media.

Greene stated that she has been the target of previous death threats and swatting incidents from the left but said the current threats appear to be coming from individuals on the right.

“Now that President Trump has called me a traitor, which is absolutely untrue and horrific. Mark Levin has been calling me a traitor. And so have other prominent likely paid social medial activists,” she wrote.

“This puts blood in the water and creates a feeding frenzy. And it could ultimately lead to a harmful or even deadly outcome.”

She added that the timing of the threats “just happens to be days before we take the vote on releasing the Epstein files.” Greene wrote, “I love America and the American people, and I swore an oath to uphold the constitution and always do so. I am not a traitor.”

Greene said her construction company’s office building had received a pipe bomb threat. A spokesperson for the Rome Police Department confirmed to Blaze News that they had received threat reports related to Greene.

“While the threats directed at Congresswoman Greene’s business occurred in a different jurisdiction in Georgia, we can confirm that Rome Police were notified of an unordered pizza delivery, as well as received two email threats referencing her family, at an address within our jurisdiction,” the statement read.

Greene argued that Trump’s statements intensified the situation.

“When the President of the United States irresponsibly calls a Member of Congress of his own party, traitor, he is signaling what must be done to a traitor,” she wrote.

She also posted a clip explaining how hoax pizza deliveries are used to intimidate people by signaling that their address is known.

“The toxic and dangerous rhetoric in politics must end, and we need healing in this country for all Americans,” Greene concluded.

Earlier Monday, Trump posted online that he supported Republicans voting to release the Epstein files.

The Rome Police Department said it would continue following its standard investigative process. “As always, we take any threat seriously and follow established investigative procedures, regardless of political context,” the statement continued.

“The Rome Police Department remains committed to thoroughly investigating all credible threats and ensuring the safety of every member of our community without regard to political affiliation or public profile.”

Greene has also recently been one of the few Republicans to describe Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip as a “genocide” and has argued against U.S. involvement in the Middle East conflict.

Keith Urban Performs at Mar-a-Lago Event Attended by President Trump
Entertainment

Keith Urban Performs at Mar-a-Lago Event Attended by President Trump

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Country music star Keith Urban delivered a private performance at a Mar-a-Lago event attended by President Donald Trump over the weekend.

The party was hosted on Saturday by Australian billionaire Anthony Pratt, with Urban taking the stage for a brief set, as reported by Page Six.

Urban performed Chappell Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” and Bob Marley’s “Is This Love.” Clips described as “great” by an attendee were shared on Instagram following the event. President Trump, 79, was seen seated beside Pratt during the performance.

Reaction on social media was mixed, with some users praising the singer’s appearance at the event and others criticizing it. Representatives for Urban and Roan did not respond to requests for comment from Page Six.

Roan’s “Pink Pony Club” was inspired by The Abbey, a well-known gay bar in West Hollywood, California. Urban previously spoke about the song during an April appearance on “Intimate and Interactive,” saying he “almost cried” when he first heard it.

“Who doesn’t want to find a safe place, wherever that is?” he said. “You just want to find your people — doesn’t matter what that is, just somewhere where you finally realize you belong there.”

Urban has not publicly taken a political position. When asked in 2017 whether he would perform at the White House during Trump’s presidency, Urban said he preferred to answer such questions if they became relevant.

“I would like to probably answer that question when it comes up, but I’m a citizen, and I like to do what’s right,” he told The Hill at the time.

In 2024, during the race between President Trump and former Vice President Kamala Harris, Urban again avoided endorsing a candidate. “I’m often amazed that people don’t look to artists’ work — they’re pretty clear on who they are and their views, and I’m no different,” he told The Times.

“I play to extremely diverse audiences in every way, politically and pronoun, age groups, ethnicity.”

Urban was married to actress Nicole Kidman, who has also refrained from sharing political opinions publicly. Kidman said in a 2017 BBC News interview that she is “reticent” to discuss politics because she is an “issue-based” voter.

Urban and Kidman made headlines in September after announcing their separation following 19 years of marriage. The two share two children.

Kidman hinted at personal changes in a recent Vogue interview, saying, “How many times do you have to be taught that you think you know where your life is going and then it isn’t going in that direction?”

Neither Urban nor Kidman has issued a public statement addressing the breakup.

Chuck Schumer Malfunctions When Pressed on Biden Hiding the Epstein Files for Years
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Chuck Schumer Malfunctions When Pressed on Biden Hiding the Epstein Files for Years

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Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer was pressed this week on why Joe Biden never released the Epstein files during his four years in office.

The exchange occurred after a reporter asked Schumer directly, “Why wouldn’t [the Epstein files] have been released the past four years when President Biden was in office?”

Schumer responded, “Well, that’s the question every American is asking — not every American but so many Americans are asking…what the hell is he hiding?”

He then added, “Why doesn’t he want them released? When you don’t want something like this released when a whole lot of Republicans are calling for the release — his own party members… people ask the question, ‘What’s he hiding?!’”

President Trump addressed the matter on Sunday evening, stating that congressional Republicans should vote to release all of the Epstein files.

Trump has previously directed the Department of Justice to release transcripts related to Epstein trafficking cases.

Trump issued a detailed statement on the matter, saying:

“As I said on Friday night aboard Air Force One to the Fake News Media, House Republicans should vote to release the Epstein files, because we have nothing to hide, and it’s time to move on from this Democrat Hoax perpetrated by Radical Left Lunatics in order to deflect from the Great Success of the Republican Party, including our recent Victory on the Democrat “Shutdown.”

The Department of Justice has already turned over tens of thousands of pages to the Public on “Epstein,” are looking at various Democrat operatives (Bill Clinton, Reid Hoffman, Larry Summers, etc.) and their relationship to Epstein, and the House Oversight Committee can have whatever they are legally entitled to, I DON’T CARE!

All I do care about is that Republicans get BACK ON POINT, which is the Economy, “Affordability” (where we are winning BIG!), our Victory on reducing Inflation from the highest level in History to practically nothing, bringing down prices for the American People, delivering Historic Tax Cuts, gaining Trillions of Dollars of Investment into America (A RECORD!), the rebuilding of our Military, securing our Border, deporting Criminal Illegal Aliens, ending Men in Women’s Sports, stopping Transgender for Everyone, and so much more!

Nobody cared about Jeffrey Epstein when he was alive and, if the Democrats had anything, they would have released it before our Landslide Election Victory.

Some “members” of the Republican Party are being “used,” and we can’t let that happen. Let’s start talking about the Republican Party’s Record Setting Achievements, and not fall into the Epstein “TRAP,” which is actually a curse on the Democrats, not us. MAKE AMERICA GREAT AGAIN!”

 

Jasmine Crockett Connects Lee Zeldin to Epstein, But There’s One Major Problem
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Jasmine Crockett Connects Lee Zeldin to Epstein, But There’s One Major Problem

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Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas confronted Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Lee Zeldin during a debate over a resolution to censure Virgin Islands Delegate Stacey Plaskett, accusing him of accepting money from Jeffrey Epstein.

Crockett referenced the convicted billionaire sex offender.

Records show the donor was a different individual with the same name.

According to Federal Election Commission reports, Zeldin received a campaign contribution from Dr. Jeffrey Epstein, a physician in New York. Zeldin responded publicly after Crockett’s claim.

“Yes Crockett, a physician named Dr. Jeffrey Epstein (who is a totally different person than the other Jeffrey Epstein) donated to a prior campaign of mine,” Zeldin wrote on X.

He added, “NO FREAKIN RELATION, YOU GENIUS!”

X Screenshot – Lee Zeldin

 

Screenshots from FEC filings circulated online after the exchange, showing the donation came from the New York doctor.

The debate occurred as lawmakers reviewed newly released documents involving Plaskett.

Last Wednesday, the House Oversight Committee released thousands of pages of emails, texts, and other material from Jeffrey Epstein’s estate.

The documents included messages between Epstein and Plaskett as she prepared to question former Trump attorney Michael Cohen.

Epstein messaged Plaskett during the hearing, commenting that she looked “great” and updating her on references Cohen made to Rhona Graff, Trump’s former assistant.

Plaskett replied cordially in the messages, according to the documents.

On Tuesday, the House Freedom Caucus held a vote seeking to censure Plaskett and remove her from the House Democratic Caucus. All Democrats voted against the measure.

Three Republicans voted no and three voted present.

The resolution failed on a 209–214 vote.

The proposal also sought to remove Plaskett from the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence, which receives classified briefings from agencies including the FBI and CIA.

Supporters of the censure cited the newly released documents.

“The House of Representatives has a responsibility and a duty to protect the integrity of this institution. And what we learn from the documents released by Jeffrey Epstein’s estate is nothing short of alarming,” said Rep. Ralph Norman of South Carolina, who introduced the measure.

Norman said the material showed coordination between Plaskett and Epstein.

“Those documents show that Delegate Stacey Plaskett, a sitting member of Congress, coordinated her questioning during an official Oversight hearing, with a man who was a convicted sex offender, a man whose crimes against minors shocked this entire nation,” he said.

Opponents argued that the resolution relied on insufficient evidence and bypassed established procedures.

Rep. Jamie Raskin of Maryland spoke against the measure.

He called it “one more pathetic effort to distract and divert attention from the fact that the president’s name appeared more than a thousand times already in the small fraction of material released on Epstein,” and described Epstein as a “constituent” of Plaskett because of Epstein’s primary residence in the Virgin Islands.

Raskin said Plaskett’s communications did not meet the threshold for disciplinary action.

“Without even going to the Ethics Committee, much less a court, they want to arraign her on some charges based on a newspaper article, that she did something lawful — however ill-advised — it may have been. She took a phone call from one of her constituents,” Raskin said.

He asked, “Where is the ethical transgression? Where is the legal transgression? Are you saying anybody on your side of the aisle who had a phone call with Jeffrey Epstein should be censured?”

Democrat Lawmakers Release Video That Sounds Like They’re Calling for an Insurrection
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Democrat Lawmakers Release Video That Sounds Like They’re Calling for an Insurrection

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A group of Democratic lawmakers with military and intelligence backgrounds released a video statement urging members of the U.S. Armed Forces to refuse what they described as “illegal orders” from the Trump Administration.

The message was delivered by Senators Elissa Slotkin of Michigan and Mark Kelly of Arizona, as well as Representatives Jason Crow of Colorado, Chrissy Houlahan of Pennsylvania, Chris Deluzio of Pennsylvania, and Maggie Goodlander of New Hampshire.

The lawmakers said they recorded the statement in response to concerns about the use of military personnel under the administration.

“We know you are under enormous stress and pressure right now, Americans trust their military, but that trust is at risk. This administration is pitting our uniformed military and intelligence community professionals against American citizens like us. You all swore an oath to protect and defend this constitution,” they said in the video.

The message continued with an assertion that threats to constitutional norms were not limited to foreign adversaries.

“Right now, the threats to our Constitution aren’t just coming from abroad, but from right here at home. Our laws are clear,” the lawmakers added.

“You can refuse illegal orders… you must refuse illegal orders. No one has to carry out orders that violate the law or our constitution.”

The video drew immediate reaction from commentators, attorneys, and elected officials who argued that the message encouraged members of the military to defy the administration.

Veteran attorney Phil Holloway was among those who objected.

“Democrats in Congress are openly advocating mutiny by the U.S. Armed Forces,” Holloway said.

“They care nothing about the general welfare of the nation. It’s all about ‘get Trump’ with these imbeciles.”

Chaya Raichik of Libs of TikTok also responded on social media. “Nothing to see here… just Democrats openly calling for a military coup,” she wrote.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller shared the video with his own statement.

“Democrat lawmakers are now openly calling for insurrection,” Miller posted on X.

Slotkin, who appeared in the video, has previously argued that the administration’s deployment of military personnel to assist in immigration enforcement exceeds constitutional limits.

During prior remarks, she described the distinction she believes applies to military involvement at the southern border.

“I think we’ve had multiple administrations who have sent uniformed troops, active-duty troops, to the southern border in support roles, right? According to our Constitution, you can go in supporting roles, logistics, driving, setting up facilities, setting up, you know, border locations, whatever. It’s very different when you cross the line into law enforcement,” Slotkin said.

She added that members of the military do not train for law enforcement duties.

“Our military are not trained as law enforcement officers. They’ll be the first one to tell you that. That’s not why they got into service. And it’s also in violation of our Constitution. So, I think it’s very important that we keep that line,” Slotkin said.

The release of the video introduced a sharp disagreement between Democratic lawmakers and officials who argued that the message could be interpreted as encouraging resistance inside the military.

Cory Booker’s Public Call to Oust Schumer Sends Democrats Deeper Into Chaos
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Cory Booker’s Public Call to Oust Schumer Sends Democrats Deeper Into Chaos

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Sen. Cory Booker of New Jersey publicly called for the removal of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, marking a rare open challenge to party leadership and setting off internal conflict within the Democratic Party.

Booker made the remarks during a televised appearance, initiating what several lawmakers described as an unprecedented public break from standard intra-party practice.

Booker’s comments signaled dissatisfaction with current leadership and represented a shift from the typical private discussions that accompany leadership disputes.

He called for new leadership within the Senate Democratic caucus.

The statement was delivered openly and immediately drew attention among Democratic lawmakers in Washington.

The response within the party reflected a broader internal debate about leadership direction.

The call for Schumer’s removal was presented as part of a discussion about the party’s future.

Booker emphasized the need for what he described as renewal and new energy, and he positioned his remarks as part of a broader conversation about leadership roles within the caucus.

The dispute drew attention because of its public nature.

The comments were delivered during a televised segment rather than through internal party channels, a departure from the usual handling of leadership disagreements.

The remarks were interpreted by several Democrats as an open challenge to Schumer’s role.

Booker’s statement occurred amid concerns within the party about its political direction.

Several Democrats have discussed generational leadership questions, with some lawmakers advocating new approaches and others supporting continued stability at the top.

Booker framed his position as a call for change.

The reaction among Democrats varied.

Some viewed the remarks as part of a broader debate about leadership structure, while others saw them as part of a more direct challenge to Schumer’s influence within the caucus.

The discussion highlighted divisions over strategy, messaging, and the party’s approach to forthcoming legislative and electoral challenges.

Booker’s comments also drew interest from Republicans, who noted the public dispute within the Democratic Party.

The response included observations about the strategic implications of internal divisions. Republicans positioned the situation as evidence of discord among Democrats.

The internal debate comes at a time when party unity has been a key factor in legislative negotiations.

Schumer has played a central role in guiding Democratic strategy in the Senate, and Booker’s remarks drew attention to concerns among some Democrats about leadership effectiveness as the party prepares for future legislative conflicts.

The development marked a shift from the party’s usual approach to leadership discussions.

Democratic lawmakers typically handle leadership disputes privately, and Booker’s public remarks represented a change from that practice.

Booker’s call for new leadership raised questions about how other Democrats may respond.

The reaction within the caucus will determine whether the call remains an isolated statement or develops into a broader movement.

The situation may also influence negotiations and internal coordination as Democrats navigate upcoming legislative sessions.

Booker’s remarks made clear that he believes the party’s leadership structure requires reevaluation.

He argued that the current approach is not aligned with the party’s needs as it faces future political challenges.

The statement indicated that discussions about leadership direction are likely to continue within the party.

The long-term implications of Booker’s comments remain uncertain.

The degree of support for his position among Senate Democrats will determine whether the party engages in further internal debate about Schumer’s role.

The statements marked a significant moment in ongoing discussions about party leadership and strategy.

Soft-on-Crime Advocate’s Own Staffer Robbed at Knifepoint Inside District Office
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Soft-on-Crime Advocate’s Own Staffer Robbed at Knifepoint Inside District Office

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A staff member working in the district office of Illinois Senate President Don Harmon was robbed at knifepoint on Friday, according to authorities and a statement released by Harmon, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The incident occurred just after 11 a.m. inside Harmon’s office on West North Avenue in Oak Park.

Police arrested 35-year-old Scott Loeffler, who allegedly entered the office, produced a knife, and took the staffer’s iPhone. According to the Chicago Tribune, the staffer had allowed Loeffler inside after believing he was a constituent. As she briefly looked away, Loeffler allegedly displayed the knife and took the phone. He then asked, “Do you have a wallet?”

The staffer was able to move into an adjoining room connected to Harmon’s campaign office, where another staff member called 911. Harmon was in another room of the office during the incident. The staffer was not physically harmed.

In a written statement, Harmon addressed the incident and said the robbery did not appear to be politically driven.

“On Friday, a man entered the district office and confronted an employee with a knife. Thank God she is physically unharmed. The suspect is in custody and charged with armed robbery. This incident does not appear to have been politically motivated. I want to thank the Oak Park Police Department for a quick response, and I want to thank my staff for their bravery and unwavering commitment to public service. Their safety is my top priority.”

According to public information, Harmon attended an event last month marking the 10-year anniversary of “Restore Justice,” a criminal-justice advocacy organization.

Harmon has supported a number of criminal justice and policing reform initiatives put forward in Illinois, including policy changes under the SAFE-T Act and measures involving parole eligibility, property seizure rules, and sentencing reforms for certain offenders under age 21.

Loeffler has been charged with armed robbery in connection with Friday’s incident. Oak Park police have not released additional details beyond confirming the arrest.

The district office remains open, and Harmon’s office said staff safety procedures are being reviewed following the incident.

Illegal Alien Terrorist with a CDL Driving an 18-Wheeler Taken Down by ICE
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Illegal Alien Terrorist with a CDL Driving an 18-Wheeler Taken Down by ICE

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Federal agents arrested Akhror Bozorov, a 31-year-old illegal alien from Uzbekistan who is wanted in his home country for allegedly belonging to a terrorist organization, according to an announcement Monday from the Department of Homeland Security.

Bozorov entered the United States illegally in February 2023.

The U.S. Border Patrol arrested him after he crossed the border but later released him into the country.

Authorities in Uzbekistan issued an arrest warrant in 2022, alleging that he had distributed terrorist propaganda online calling for jihad and had recruited others to join the movement.

On November 9, Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents arrested Bozorov in Kansas while he was working as a truck driver.

A DHS release stated that he obtained a commercial driver’s license in Pennsylvania after the Biden administration granted him work authorization in January 2024.

A photograph of Bozorov’s license, shared by DHS, showed that Pennsylvania issued him a non-domiciled CDL with REAL ID in July.

In a statement, DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “Not only was Akhror Bozorov — a wanted terrorist — RELEASED into the country by the Biden administration, but he was also given a commercial driver’s license by Governor [Josh] Shapiro’s Pennsylvania. This should go without saying, but terrorist illegal aliens should not be operating 18-wheelers on America’s highways.”

McLaughlin added, “Biden and [former DHS Secretary Alejandro] Mayorkas allowed countless terrorists to come into our country. President Trump and [DHS] Secretary [Kristi] Noem unleashed ICE to target these national security threats.”

Shannon Everett with American Truckers United responded to the arrest, telling Blaze News that the concerns extend beyond the trucking industry.

“At American Truckers United, our longstanding concern has been that this issue extends far beyond the trucking industry and represents a profound national security crisis,” Everett said.

“The driver in question is just one of several we have identified in possession of not only non-domicile commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs) issued by rogue states, but also REAL IDs.”

Everett said some of the individuals identified by the group had been transporting critical shipments.

“These individuals have been found transporting critical assets, including U.S. Mail, U.S. defense shipments, and our nation’s food supplies. This situation is untenable, and our administration must take immediate and decisive action to ban and revoke all non-domicile CDLs improperly issued to noncitizens over the past five years,” Everett stated.

In a statement to Blaze News, PennDOT addressed the licensing process for noncitizens.

“Pennsylvania issues both commercial and non-commercial driver’s licenses only to non-U.S. citizens who can provide documentation proving their lawful presence in the United States,” PennDOT said.

“When noncitizen applicants appear at a Driver License Center in Pennsylvania, PennDOT reviews immigration and naturalization documents, which are confirmed in real time against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Systematic Alien Verification for Entitlements (SAVE) website before issuing any driver’s license. PennDOT is prohibited from publicly disclosing information about an individual’s driver record due to state and federal privacy laws.”

WATCH:

Trump Admin Eyes Housing Fix as Billionaire Bill Ackman Drops New Fannie–Freddie Proposal
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Trump Admin Eyes Housing Fix as Billionaire Bill Ackman Drops New Fannie–Freddie Proposal

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Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman said he will introduce a new proposal next week involving Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, the mortgage-finance companies that have remained under federal conservatorship since the 2008 financial crisis.

Ackman announced on X that the plan would allow the Trump administration “to achieve all of its objectives of maximizing value for taxpayers, eliminating the risk of mortgage spreads widening, and enabling the U.S. Treasury to demonstrate a mark-to-market value for its shareholdings in the two companies.”

He said the livestream detailing the proposal is scheduled for Tuesday, Nov. 18 at 10:30 a.m. ET.

According to Ackman, the transaction could be completed before the end of the year, “meeting the expectations of all stakeholders.”

Ackman also addressed speculation surrounding his firm’s holdings in the companies.

He said Pershing Square “has not sold our stake in the two companies” and continues to be the largest common shareholder in both, with more than 210 million shares combined.

Earlier in the year, Ackman suggested merging Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac into a single entity in an effort to reduce costs and lower mortgage rates.

At the time, he said such a move could streamline the housing-finance system and increase value for existing shareholders.

Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac play a central role in the U.S. housing-finance structure.

Instead of issuing home loans directly, they purchase mortgages from banks and lenders, package those loans into securities, and guarantee those securities for investors.

The process provides lenders with a steady source of cash for issuing new loans, which keeps mortgage credit available and rates relatively consistent across the country.

Fannie Mae was established in 1938 during the New Deal to broaden access to homeownership by creating a secondary mortgage market.

Freddie Mac was created roughly 30 years later to increase competition and provide additional liquidity in that market.

Together, the two institutions own or guarantee about half of all U.S. residential mortgages, representing approximately $12 trillion in outstanding debt.

Their scale made them major participants in the 2008 financial crisis, when both absorbed significant losses tied to declining loan quality.

In response, the federal government placed them under conservatorship through the Federal Housing Finance Agency, where they continue to operate.

Ackman’s announcement comes as the Trump administration considers new measures aimed at increasing housing affordability, including a proposed 50-year mortgage.


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