Author name: Drew Berquist

Economics

JD Vance Saves the Day After 3 Republicans Side with Dems to Stop Trump’s Tariffs

/

Vice President J.D. Vance cast the deciding vote in the Senate to block a resolution that would have overturned President Donald Trump’s tariffs, stepping in after three Republicans joined Democrats in an effort to revoke the national emergency authority underpinning the policy.

The Senate vote was held on a resolution seeking to terminate the president’s declaration of a national emergency related to foreign trade deficits.

The measure would have effectively dismantled the tariffs implemented under that authority.

Although Republicans hold a majority in the chamber, the resolution tied 49-49 after GOP Senators Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Susan Collins (R-ME), and Rand Paul (R-KY) crossed party lines to vote with Democrats.

With the tie, Vice President Vance intervened and cast the tie-breaking vote to defeat the resolution.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Senator Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI) were both absent from the vote.

A spokesperson for McConnell later stated that the 83-year-old senator would have voted in favor of the resolution alongside Democrats.

“The Senator has been consistent in opposing tariffs and that a trade war is not in the best interest of American households and businesses,” the spokesperson said. “He believes that tariffs are a tax increase on everybody.”

Following the vote, Murkowski posted on social media defending her decision to support the resolution, stating that the president’s declaration of a national emergency related to trade imbalances does not meet the legal threshold required.

“Bilateral trade deficits do not constitute a national emergency, nor do they qualify as an ‘unusual and extraordinary’ circumstance needed to unlock authorities under the International Emergency Economic Powers Act,” Murkowski said.

“We have a lot more work to do to reclaim Congress’s constitutional power over tariffs, but this resolution is a step in the right direction,” she added.

Senator Rand Paul also explained his vote, citing constitutional concerns over executive power and congressional authority over taxation.

“The Constitution clearly states that Congress, not the president, has the power of the purse,” Paul posted on X.

“All new taxes (which is what a tariff is) are supposed to originate in the House of Representatives before going to the Senate for approval.”

Despite the attempted rollback, President Trump defended his economic strategy, particularly the tariffs implemented under his “Liberation Day” trade policy.

In a series of posts on Truth Social this week, Trump rejected claims that the tariffs were to blame for current market volatility, attributing recent economic turbulence to policies inherited from the previous administration.

“This is Biden’s Stock Market, not Trump’s,” the president wrote.

“I didn’t take over until January 20th. Tariffs will soon start kicking in, and companies are starting to move into the USA in record numbers. Our Country will boom, but we have to get rid of the Biden ‘Overhang.’”

Trump also urged patience from Americans and businesses navigating the transition.

“This will take a while, has NOTHING TO DO WITH TARIFFS, only that he left us with bad numbers,” Trump added.

“But when the boom begins, it will be like no other. BE PATIENT!!!”

The failed resolution marks a significant win for the Trump administration as it moves forward with efforts to realign global trade policies in favor of American production.

The White House has signaled that further economic measures tied to the national emergency authority could be forthcoming.

Visit Drew Berquist.com for more stories like this.

National Affairs

Trump to Sanctuary Cities: Your Days of Defiance Are Numbered

/

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders Monday aimed at reinforcing law enforcement efforts and targeting jurisdictions that obstruct federal immigration laws, according to a White House announcement.

Speaking at a press briefing alongside Border Czar Tom Homan, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt outlined the directives, which come on the eve of President Trump’s 100th day back in office.

“Later this afternoon, President Trump will sign an executive order on law and order and another executive order on sanctuary cities.

The first EO will strengthen and unleash America’s law enforcement to pursue criminals and protect innocent citizens,” Leavitt said.

She added, “The second EO is centered around protecting American communities from criminal aliens, and it will direct the attorney general and secretary of Homeland Security to publish a list of state and local jurisdictions that obstruct the enforcement of federal immigration laws.”

Homan, addressing reporters, emphasized that local and state officials should be prioritizing public safety over political agendas when it comes to immigration enforcement.

“I don’t think any elected mayor, or any elected governor, should want public safety threats walking through the community,” Homan said, referencing an upcoming visit to Rochester, New York. The city is currently facing a federal lawsuit related to its sanctuary city policies.

The list to be compiled under the new executive order is intended to publicly identify jurisdictions that prevent or hinder federal immigration enforcement, potentially setting the stage for further legal action or restrictions on federal funding.

In addition to the immigration-related actions, President Trump is expected to sign another executive order concerning transportation regulations.

As reported by Breitbart News, the order will require that American truckers and commercial vehicle operators demonstrate proficiency in English.

“Stay tuned! Today @POTUS and I will be making a big announcement to make our roadways safer and put American truckers first,” Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy wrote on X, sharing Breitbart’s coverage of the upcoming order.

Leavitt highlighted that by the end of Monday, President Trump will have signed more than 140 executive orders since returning to office in January.

That figure is close to the total number of executive orders signed during the entirety of the Biden administration.

The Federal Register indicates that during Trump’s first year in office in 2017, he signed 55 executive orders.

His current pace significantly exceeds that earlier output, reflecting a major expansion of executive action during his second term.

Trump’s focus on sanctuary cities and law enforcement aligns with broader administration efforts to prioritize immigration enforcement and public safety.

The White House has continued to emphasize that sanctuary policies undermine the rule of law and put American citizens at risk.

The executive actions announced Monday are expected to strengthen federal cooperation with local law enforcement agencies willing to work with immigration authorities, while increasing scrutiny and potential consequences for jurisdictions that continue to resist federal immigration operations.

Please visit Drew Berquist.com for more stories like this.

Govt Corruption

WEF Whistleblower Blows Lid Off Klaus Schwab’s Alleged Money Games

/

The World Economic Forum (WEF) has launched an internal investigation into its founder and longtime chairman, Klaus Schwab, following whistleblower allegations of financial misconduct involving both Schwab and his wife, Hilde.

The claims, which include misuse of Forum funds for personal expenses and questionable workplace practices, surfaced last week in a letter obtained by The Wall Street Journal.

The anonymous whistleblower letter, addressed to the WEF’s board, accused Schwab of using the organization’s financial resources for personal gain without proper oversight.

Among the allegations were claims that Schwab instructed junior employees to withdraw thousands of dollars in cash from ATMs for his personal use.

The letter also alleged Schwab used WEF funds to pay for private massages at hotels.

Hilde Schwab, who previously held a role within the organization, was accused of scheduling what the whistleblower described as “token” meetings—minimal or superficial engagements funded by the WEF—in order to justify expensive personal travel.

A second source familiar with the situation confirmed to The Wall Street Journal that an investigation had been initiated.

The board reportedly convened an emergency meeting over the Easter weekend to address the whistleblower’s claims.

Despite Schwab’s attempts to prevent the probe, including his stated intention to pursue legal action against the whistleblower, the board voted to proceed with an independent review of the allegations.

He had previously announced plans to step down later this year, after more than five decades of leading the organization.

In a statement released through a spokesperson, the Schwabs denied all claims raised in the letter.

The spokesperson said Klaus Schwab plans to file a lawsuit against the anonymous author of the whistleblower complaint and “anybody who spreads these mistruths.”

The WEF confirmed the launch of an investigation in its own official statement, noting the board had “unanimously supported” the decision to proceed after consulting with external legal counsel. The Forum emphasized that the allegations remain unproven.

“The Forum takes these allegations seriously, but they remain unproven, and will await the outcome of the investigation to comment further,” the statement read.

The World Economic Forum, based in Geneva, is best known for its annual meetings in Davos, where global political, business, and media leaders gather to discuss international policy.

Klaus Schwab, who founded the organization in 1971, has been a prominent figure in shaping its direction and messaging over the last five decades.

The allegations and resulting investigation come at a time when the WEF has faced increased scrutiny from critics who view the organization as unaccountable and overly influential in global governance matters.

Schwab’s sudden departure amid financial misconduct accusations is likely to fuel further debate over transparency and accountability within the organization.

The independent investigation into Schwab’s alleged conduct is ongoing.

Please visit Drew Berquist.com for more stories like this.

Illegal Immigration

Four More House Dems Try to Visit MS-13 Member in El Salvador, It Doesn’t Go Well

/

Four House Democrats arrived in El Salvador this week to protest the recent deportation of Kilmar Armando Abrego Garcia, a Salvadoran national who had been living in Maryland before being removed from the United States.

The visit comes amid continued tensions over the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement policies, including the deportation of individuals designated as affiliated with foreign criminal organizations.

Rep. Robert Garcia (D-CA), one of the four House members who traveled to El Salvador, said the visit was intended to bring attention to what he called the “wrongful deportation” of Abrego Garcia.

“While Donald Trump continues to defy the Supreme Court, Kilmar Abrego Garcia is being held illegally in El Salvador after being wrongfully deported,” Garcia said.

“That is why we’re here – to remind the American people that kidnapping immigrants and deporting them without due process is not how we do things in America.”

The other Democratic lawmakers on the trip include Reps. Maxwell Frost (D-FL), Maxine Dexter (D-OR), and Yassamin Ansari (D-AZ), according to The New York Times.

Their visit follows a similar trip last week by Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), who also met with Abrego Garcia while in the country.

Abrego Garcia originally entered the U.S. illegally and was placed in removal proceedings.

In 2019, an immigration judge granted him a withholding of removal order based on concerns that he could face persecution if returned to El Salvador.

However, under President Donald Trump’s renewed immigration enforcement orders, Abrego Garcia was deported earlier this year.

The Trump administration has stated that Abrego Garcia is a confirmed member of the violent MS-13 gang and was prioritized for removal due to national security concerns.

Administration officials have pointed to gang-related evidence and public safety risks as justification for the deportation.

Stephen Miller, White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy, said last week that Abrego Garcia’s removal was lawful and deliberate.

“Abrego Garcia was not mistakenly deported,” Miller said. “A DOJ attorney mischaracterized the case, and that error was corrected. The claim that this was an accident is completely false.”

Abrego Garcia’s immigration case has become a flashpoint in the debate over the use of the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which President Trump invoked earlier this year to accelerate the removal of individuals affiliated with designated foreign terrorist organizations, including MS-13.

The law has been cited in multiple deportation actions tied to public safety concerns.

According to court records, Abrego Garcia has been previously arrested in the U.S. and was flagged by the Department of Homeland Security due to suspected gang activity.

The administration has released photographs that it says show gang-affiliated tattoos linked to MS-13.

Democratic lawmakers have argued that even individuals with alleged gang affiliations are entitled to full due process and legal protections before being removed from the country.

The visit by House Democrats is likely to draw further political attention as the administration continues to defend its immigration enforcement actions.

President Trump has stated that the policy aims to remove violent offenders and restore order to a system that has, according to his administration, been exploited for years.

The White House has not issued a new statement in response to the latest congressional delegation’s trip but has maintained that its immigration enforcement efforts are in line with federal law and necessary for public safety.

Their trip did not go as planned…

Please visit Drew Berquist.com for more articles like this.

National Affairs

Trump Admin Releases Details on Some Gang Members SCOTUS Wants Kept in the U.S.

/

The Trump administration on Saturday made public the identities, photos, and criminal charges of several suspected members of the violent Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua (TdA), who are currently held at the Bluebonnet Detention Center in Texas.

The release followed a U.S. Supreme Court ruling earlier that day, which temporarily halted the administration’s efforts to deport these individuals using the Alien Enemies Act of 1798.

The ruling, which came in response to legal action led by the American Civil Liberties Union, bars the deportation of the Venezuelan detainees “until further order of this court.”

Trump administration attorneys quickly responded, filing an opposition to the ACLU’s request to block the deportations. Government lawyers emphasized that detainees were given prior notice and time to file habeas corpus petitions before removal proceedings began.

They also urged the justices to limit any stay of deportations to only those individuals who had filed legal challenges.

The Supreme Court had previously ruled that the president can carry out deportations under the Alien Enemies Act, provided those targeted are given due process to contest their removal.

“These are some of the TdA gang members detained in Texas that we are trying to deport,” a senior administration official told Fox News following the ruling.

The Department of State designated Tren de Aragua a foreign terrorist organization on February 20.

The gang is known to have thousands of members, and the White House maintains that many of them have unlawfully entered the U.S., engaging in what it described as “hostile actions against the United States.”
As part of the administration’s response, images of the suspected TdA members were released to the public.

The photos show individuals displaying tattoos, weapons, cash, and gang-related paraphernalia.

Officials also disclosed details of each detainee’s criminal background.

Among the individuals listed:

– Henry Jose Romero-Gonzalez faces pending charges for three counts of assault,
crimes against a person, and unlawful possession of a weapon. Photos show him
with cash, a gun, and tattoos, including one taken in a sports car while wearing a reflective vest.

– Alessandro Benedikt Parades-Worwa is charged with aggravated assault with a
weapon and pointing a firearm at a person. Photos display various tattoos.

– Cristian Andres Andrade-Vargas faces charges related to larceny and dangerous
drugs. A tattoo above his left eyebrow is visible in the images released.

– Norge Yunaifer Rosales-Ceballos was convicted of criminal flight to avoid prosecution
and is charged with alien smuggling and resisting an officer. One photo highlights a
neck tattoo behind his right ear.

– Felix Josue Rendon-Garcia faces charges for possession of drugs and dangerous
substances. Images show a tattoo with a date below it.

– Darrin Moises Daza-Segura has been convicted of burglary and larceny. Photos show
tattoos on his knuckles spelling “VIDA.”

– Ronny Javier Rodriguez-Tovar has multiple convictions, including hit-and-run, battery,
possession of stolen property, DUI, and shoplifting. He also faces new charges for
battery, resisting an officer, and assault. A photo shows a device inscribed with
“T.D.A.” and “Venezuela.”

– Howard Emis Omana is facing charges for aggravated assault with a weapon.
Social media posts show him posing with a gun and making gang-related gestures.

– Angel Ignacio Cardenas-Bravo is charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement
officer, child neglect with great bodily harm, resisting an officer with violence, domestic
violence battery, and multiple weapons-related offenses.

While the Supreme Court ruling temporarily blocks their removal, the administration has signaled its intent to continue pursuing legal options to proceed with deportations.

Officials argue that allowing members of a designated terrorist organization to remain in the U.S. poses an unacceptable threat to public safety.

Please visit Drew Berquist.com for more stories like this.

National Affairs

Horrific New Details Emerge on Suspect in Arson Attack on PA’s Dem Governor

/

Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were safely evacuated from the governor’s residence early Sunday morning after a fire broke out that authorities later determined to be the result of an intentional arson attack involving Molotov cocktails.

The suspect, 38-year-old Cody Balmer, has been charged in connection with the incident, which caused significant damage to the governor’s residence in Harrisburg.

No injuries were reported, and the family’s two dogs were also safely removed from the building during the early morning response by police and firefighters.

According to law enforcement, Balmer called 911 following the attack, identified himself by name, and made statements referencing Governor Shapiro’s position on the Israel-Palestinian conflict.

“Shapiro needs to know he ‘…will not take part in his plans for what he wants to do to the Palestinian people,’” Balmer told the 911 operator, according to a search warrant filed by Pennsylvania State Police.

The warrant also quoted Balmer saying, “our people have been put through too much by that monster,” and indicated that he spoke in a manner that appeared to be scripted.

Authorities said these statements, combined with other evidence, indicate that the attack was politically and religiously motivated.

Corporal Benjamin Forsythe wrote in the affidavit that Balmer targeted the governor “based upon perceived injustices to the people of Palestine,” and also cited Shapiro’s Jewish faith as a factor in the attack, though the warrant did not provide additional details regarding how religion influenced the motive.

The fire at the governor’s residence was reported shortly after 1 a.m. Sunday.

Emergency crews arrived on the scene and quickly evacuated the residence while working to contain the blaze.

The local fire chief later said the outcome could have been far worse if certain doors in the residence had not been closed, which prevented the fire from spreading further throughout the home.

In addition to the 911 call and physical evidence from the scene, law enforcement cited troubling content found on Balmer’s social media accounts.

According to reports, he had posted images of himself pointing a firearm at the camera, and shared photos of Molotov cocktails and other incendiary imagery.

A probable cause affidavit also stated that Balmer allegedly planned to physically assault Governor Shapiro with a hammer if he encountered him during the incident.

News outlets have also reported that online activity linked to someone with the same name as Balmer includes statements identifying as a “registered socialist,” support for Black Lives Matter, and criticism of the MAGA movement.

While Balmer had reportedly expressed criticism of both President Donald Trump and President Joe Biden, the suspect’s statements and online activity have drawn increased scrutiny following the attack.

The arson occurred during Passover, which prompted initial speculation that the timing may have been intentional.

Investigators have since confirmed that religious and political motives are central to their understanding of the case.

Governor Shapiro’s office has not issued a detailed statement since the attack but confirmed that the governor, his wife, and children were unharmed and grateful to law enforcement and first responders for their swift actions.

Federal and state agencies continue to investigate the incident. Balmer remains in custody as the legal process moves forward.

Visit Drew Berquist.com for more articles like this.

Illegal Immigration

Stephen Miller Torches Van Hollen for Backing Deported Illegal Alien “Terrorist”

/

Democratic lawmakers are drawing sharp criticism from Trump administration officials after Maryland Senator Chris Van Hollen publicly defended a deported illegal migrant from El Salvador, prompting a broader debate over the Democrat Party’s alignment with individuals removed under criminal deportation orders.

On Tuesday, Sen. Van Hollen announced that he was preparing to travel to El Salvador to meet with Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a previously deported migrant who had been living in Maryland.

“I’m flying to El Salvador tomorrow morning to check on his condition and discuss his return,” Van Hollen said in a statement.

The senator added that Garcia “shouldn’t have to spend another second away from his family [in Maryland],” igniting a backlash from Trump administration officials who emphasized Garcia’s legal status and prior deportation order.

“Senator Van Hollen seems to be under the very confused impression that this MS-13 terrorist is his constituent,” said Stephen Miller, senior advisor to President Donald Trump and chief architect of the administration’s immigration policy.

“He is [El Salvador] President Nayib Bukele’s constituent… He is not a ‘Maryland man.’ He is not a Maryland anything,” Miller stated. “He is an illegal alien from El Salvador with a deportation order from the United States.”

Miller added that Garcia’s presence in the United States was already determined to be unlawful by a judge, saying, “Under the Due Process that these Democrats so venerate for illegal invaders, it is legally impermissible for him to have one more minute in this country. So we honor the law and obey the law by getting him out of this country.”

The Trump advisor warned that Democrats’ public defense of individuals with gang affiliations could carry political consequences.

“If the entire Democrat Party was to work itself into a state of emotional hysteria to demand the return of illegal gang members and terrorists to our shores, then that 21 percent [polling support] will soon be 15 [percent] and then will be 11 [percent] and then all they will have left will be actual, confirmed MS-13 members.”

Polling data continues to show widespread support for President Trump’s immigration policies.

According to a Breitbart News report published April 15, 74 percent of voters support the deportation of illegal aliens who have committed crimes.

Additionally, 70 percent support closing the southern border, with only 30 percent opposing the measure.

Despite public opinion, Democrats have continued to pressure immigration authorities and elevate cases like Garcia’s. Rep. Robert Garcia (D-Calif.), himself a former illegal immigrant, has pledged to join Van Hollen’s trip to El Salvador.

Garcia’s case initially drew attention due to a 2019 deportation order that was temporarily paused by a judge who cited potential threats from gangs in El Salvador.

However, with President Bukele’s administration undertaking an aggressive crackdown on gang activity — including the detainment of thousands of gang members in the high-security CECOT prison — immigration officials under President Trump argue that the original rationale for delaying the deportation is no longer valid.

ABC News and other media outlets have described Garcia as a “Maryland man,” prompting pushback from Homeland Security officials.

DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin responded by mocking the characterization, reinforcing that Garcia is a foreign national without legal standing in the United States.

The Biden-era narrative around immigration has continued to clash with the renewed enforcement policies of the Trump administration.

The White House has used the moment to highlight ongoing deportation efforts under President Trump, stating in a recent social media post:

“Brutal killers and rapists— all taken off our streets in just the past week thanks to the tireless work of ICE. If Democrats and the media had their way, they would still be roaming free.”

The statement was followed by a list of recent arrests involving illegal immigrants with violent criminal records.

The Trump administration has also expanded diplomatic agreements with several countries to expedite the return of illegal migrants, particularly in cases where prior home-country resistance had stalled deportation efforts.

As the immigration debate intensifies, the case of Kilmar Abrego Garcia is emerging as a new flashpoint — with Trump officials casting it as a test of law and order, and Democrats presenting it as a humanitarian issue.

Please visit Drew Berquist.com for more articles like this.

Campus Crazies

Harvard Professors Try Blocking Audit Into Billions in Government Grants

/

Professors at Harvard University have filed a lawsuit aimed at halting a federal review of nearly $9 billion in government grants and contracts awarded to the school, as the Trump administration investigates antisemitism on college campuses.

The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court in Boston, claims that the administration’s audit threatens academic freedom and free speech.

It was brought by the Harvard chapter of the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) and the national organization.

The legal challenge comes amid a broader federal effort to investigate antisemitic incidents and rhetoric on college campuses, including those at elite universities.

The Trump administration has increased scrutiny of institutions receiving taxpayer funds, particularly where student protests or faculty conduct have raised concerns.

According to the AAUP, the audit violates constitutional protections and is intended to intimidate faculty and chill campus discourse.

The Department of Justice, which is representing the administration in the case, declined to comment on the pending litigation.

Harvard University, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, also declined to issue a statement.

The funding in question includes approximately $9 billion in federal grants and contracts provided to Harvard over recent years.

While the administration has not publicly detailed the full scope of the audit, it is part of a broader review of federal funding to universities where there have been allegations of antisemitism or campus unrest.

The issue gained national attention in 2023, when then-Harvard President Claudine Gay testified before Congress.

During her testimony, Gay was asked whether calling for the genocide of Jews would violate Harvard’s code of conduct.

She responded that such speech would not necessarily constitute a violation, prompting widespread criticism. Gay later stepped down from her position.

In May 2024, faculty and students at Harvard participated in a rally where participants were heard chanting “Intifada, come to America,” according to event footage and multiple news reports.

The demonstration, which included both anti-Israel and anti-American sentiment, drew further attention to the climate on Harvard’s campus and fueled calls for a federal review of the school’s publicly funded programs.

The federal audit is focused on ensuring that taxpayer money is not being used to subsidize institutions that allow discriminatory conduct or fail to uphold civil rights standards, officials have said.

The legal action from the Harvard professors comes despite the university’s massive financial resources.

As of 2024, Harvard’s endowment is valued at more than $51 billion, making it the largest university endowment in the country.

The school’s reliance on federal grants and contracts—despite this endowment—has also sparked criticism.

The professors’ lawsuit is expected to be an early test of how far universities can go in resisting federal oversight tied to campus behavior and the use of taxpayer funds.

The case is pending in U.S. District Court in Boston, with a hearing date yet to be scheduled.

The Trump administration has not indicated whether additional universities will face similar audits, though officials have suggested more reviews could be on the horizon.

Visit Drew Berquist.com for more stories like this.

National Affairs

Leaked Docs: Tren de Aragua Isn’t Just a Gang—It’s a Foreign Invasion Backed by Maduro

/

A newly surfaced set of leaked documents reveals that a violent criminal organization from Venezuela, Tren de Aragua (TdA), may be operating in the United States with the backing of the Venezuelan regime led by Nicolás Maduro.

Television host and independent journalist Emerald Robinson published the documents on her Substack platform, outlining evidence that connects Tren de Aragua not only to drug trafficking and gang violence, but also to broader geopolitical goals involving the destabilization of democratic nations, including the United States.

Immediately after taking office, President Donald Trump designated Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization through an executive order that described its ties to the Venezuelan government.

The order stated:

“Over the years, Venezuelan national and local authorities have ceded ever-greater control over their territories to transnational criminal organizations, including TdA. The result is a hybrid criminal state that is perpetrating an invasion of and predatory incursion into the United States, and which poses a substantial danger to the United States.”

While Tren de Aragua has long been known as a violent criminal enterprise originating in Venezuela, the newly leaked briefing paints a broader picture.

According to the materials shared by Robinson, the organization operates as a paramilitary arm of Maduro’s socialist regime, working in coordination with military intelligence.

Maracaibo-Venezuela-25-07-2024. President Nicolás Maduro is welcomed by a crowd of Venezuelans and militants of the ruling PSUV party, at the closing of the campaign in the city of Maracaibo.

The leaked briefing reportedly provided to Trump administration officials in recent months describes the operational framework used by Tren de Aragua to enter the United States.

According to the documents, members of the group travel through various foreign countries before illegally crossing into the U.S. Once inside, they are dispersed into safe houses located across 20 different American cities.

The purpose of their entry, the documents claim, is to undermine domestic security and assist the Maduro regime in its broader objective of destabilizing Western democracies.

Robinson wrote:

“According to the briefing, the TdA members move from Venezuela through several foreign nations before entering the USA illegally and being spread out in safe houses in 20 different cities. For what reason? TdA members have come to the USA in large numbers to undermine our public safety and support ‘the Maduro regime’s goal of destabilizing democratic nations in the Americas, including the USA.’”

The leaked intelligence further alleges that the gang’s operations are being supported by approximately 300 military intelligence officers, all tied to Venezuela’s regime.

These officers reportedly train TdA operatives in riot tactics, sabotage, espionage, and other forms of urban disruption.

Robinson added:

“How do you know it’s a hostile foreign army? Because TdA terrorists are supported by 300 military intelligence officers who train them to engage in ‘riots, sabotage, disinformation, espionage, social conflict, and armed aggression’ inside the USA.”

The documents also identify a senior figure within Venezuela’s intelligence ranks who is connected to the Cártel de los Soles — one of the largest drug cartels in the world.

This individual reportedly serves as the link between Tren de Aragua, the Maduro regime, and other transnational criminal groups.

Despite the serious implications of these findings, deportation efforts targeting TdA members have drawn criticism from left-wing activists and elected officials.

In particular, attention has turned to the CECOT maximum-security prison in El Salvador, where some TdA agents have been transferred.

Critics have focused on conditions at the facility rather than the criminal backgrounds of those detained.

The leaked documents raise questions about national security and border enforcement policies in place under the previous administration.

With millions of individuals having crossed the border since 2021, including during the early years of Joe Biden’s term, the possibility of embedded foreign operatives has become a renewed topic of concern among intelligence analysts.

Neither the White House nor the Department of Homeland Security has released a formal statement in response to the documents as of Wednesday.

Visit Drew Berquist.com for more stories like this.

National Affairs

OpenAI Whistleblower Dead, Reportedly Had Two Gunshots to the Head, Ruled Suicide

/

The parents of 26-year-old Suchir Balaji, a former OpenAI employee and whistleblower, are disputing official findings that their son’s death was a suicide, alleging that a second gunshot wound to his head was missed in the initial autopsy.

Balaji was found dead in his apartment in the Mint Hill neighborhood of San Francisco on November 26.

Authorities initially reported that he had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

His death came just weeks after he reportedly provided information to The New York Times, alleging that OpenAI was engaging in copyright violations related to the training of its artificial intelligence systems.

Following the official ruling of suicide by the medical examiner, Balaji’s parents, Poornima Ramarao and Balaji Ramamurthy, raised concerns about the circumstances surrounding their son’s death.

The family immediately hired a private investigator and commissioned an independent autopsy, along with toxicology and additional forensic tests.

“He was happy, not depressed or anything. It was his birthday week. He made plans to see us in January,” Balaji’s father said during a press conference in December.

“How can anyone believe that there was no suicide note left? We have seen the blood shots in the bathroom, signs of fight.”

The couple now claims that the independent medical evaluation revealed evidence of a second bullet wound to their son’s head.

According to the Daily Mail, the family shared that CT scans were reviewed by two radiologists who were not informed of the case details in advance.

Both radiologists independently concluded that there appeared to be two gunshot wounds, neither of which was immediately fatal.

The family has not yet publicly released the full set of forensic reports but says the findings support their belief that Balaji was murdered.

They allege the motive was tied to his whistleblower disclosures regarding OpenAI’s internal practices.

Balaji had reportedly contacted The New York Times in October 2023 and disclosed information suggesting that OpenAI had engaged in practices that violated intellectual property laws while developing ChatGPT.

His concerns centered around the way data was allegedly scraped or utilized to train AI models, according to individuals familiar with the matter.

His body was discovered next to the bathroom door, with significant blood evidence found throughout parts of the apartment.

The initial investigation by San Francisco authorities did not indicate foul play at the time.

The claim of a second gunshot wound raises new questions about the thoroughness of the initial autopsy.

As of now, no criminal investigation has been announced by local authorities.

The case remains officially classified as a suicide.

Balaji’s parents say they will continue to press for answers and are urging officials to conduct a formal inquiry into the circumstances surrounding their son’s death.

Visit Drew Berquist.com for more stories like this.


Subscribe Form

© 2025 WokeSpy All Rights Reserved

Scroll to Top