Author name: Red Voice Media

Bessent: Trump’s Tariff Strategy Has World Powers Scrambling for a Deal, Deadline Set
Economics

Bessent: Trump’s Tariff Strategy Has World Powers Scrambling for a Deal, Deadline Set

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Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced Sunday that U.S. tariffs will return to their April 2 levels if ongoing trade negotiations with foreign partners fail to produce a new agreement by August 1.

Speaking on “Fox News Sunday” with Shannon Bream, Bessent said several trade deals are close to completion and described the current phase of talks as the “home stretch.”

“Is it fair to say there’s a bit of a pause on the July 9th deadline for some of these trading partners?” Bream asked.

“I don’t think it’s a bit of a pause because I think what’s happened is there’s a lot of congestion going into the home stretch and, as a part of the trade team, what’s great about having President Trump on our side is he’s created maximum leverage,” Bessent said.

“By telling our trading partners that they could boomerang back to the April 2nd date, I think it’s really going to move things along over the next couple of days and weeks,” he added.

The April 2 tariff schedule, originally implemented under President Donald Trump, featured increased duties on a range of goods from countries that failed to reach bilateral agreements deemed favorable to the United States.

The potential reversion is being used as leverage to encourage trading partners to finalize terms before the August deadline.

The announcement comes amid broader economic maneuvering by the Trump administration and renewed speculation about Bessent’s role within it.

In recent days, rumors have intensified that President Trump may replace Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell and possibly appoint Bessent to the position.

Last week, President Trump publicly called for Powell’s resignation after the head of the Federal Housing Finance Agency (FHFA) accused Powell of providing “deceptive” testimony to Congress.

The statement marked another escalation in the ongoing dispute between Trump and Powell, a feud that has drawn national attention over monetary policy and economic leadership.

During Sunday’s interview, Bream questioned Bessent about Trump’s public criticism of Powell and whether it was an effective approach.

“I’m a basketball fan. And in basketball there are two schools of working the refs. There’s the Bobby Knight school and the Dean Smith school. And, obviously, President Trump’s more in the Bobby Knight school. And I will tell you, Bobby Knight won three national championships. Dean Smith only won two. So, working the refs seems to be effective,” Bessent said.

Bessent did not confirm whether he was being considered to replace Powell.

Last week, he offered a similar noncommittal response during an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo.

“We have a lot of great candidates for the Federal Reserve. I think I have the best job in Washington. I get to interact with the president. The Cabinet that he’s chosen is fantastic, and being part of that Cabinet is the dream of a lifetime for me. But I will go where the president thinks that I am best suited,” Bessent said.

The Biden-appointed Powell, whose term as Fed Chair is set to expire in 2026, has faced sharp criticism from President Trump and his allies over monetary policy decisions, inflation management, and central bank transparency.

With economic negotiations intensifying on multiple fronts — from trade policy to interest rates — the direction of the Federal Reserve remains a key question as President Trump continues reshaping top-level leadership during his second term.

Please visit Drew Berquist for more stories like this.

Trump Border Enforcement Hits Record-Low Crossings, Zero Migrants Released
Border

Trump Border Enforcement Hits Record-Low Crossings, Zero Migrants Released

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Illegal crossings at the U.S.-Mexico border dropped to their lowest level in recorded history in June, according to former Immigration and Customs Enforcement Director and current Border Czar Tom Homan, as reported by The New York Post.

Tom Homan revealed on X that just 6,070 illegal crossings were recorded in June. Notably, none of the migrants apprehended were released into the United States. “President Trump has created the most secure border in the history of the nation and the data proves it. We have never seen numbers this low. Never,” Homan wrote.

He attributed the dramatic drop in illegal crossings to the administration’s mass deportation efforts and enforcement actions carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and the U.S. Border Patrol. “God bless the men and women of the U.S. Border Patrol and God bless the men and women of ICE,” Homan added. “The interior arrests and consequences help to drive down illegal immigration. The TRUMP EFFECT keeps America winning.”

Homan contrasted the current numbers with those from the Biden administration, when daily crossings frequently exceeded the monthly total recorded this June. “That is less than a single day under Biden,” Homan said. “As a matter of fact, the total number of encounters is less than half of a single day under Biden on many days. Also, none of the 6,070 were released into the U.S. ZERO.”

Rodney Scott, the U.S. Customs and Border Protection Commissioner, confirmed the drop on Wednesday. He noted that in just the first two days of June 2024, more than 7,000 migrants had crossed illegally. That figure now exceeds the entire month’s total in 2025. For comparison, CBP recorded more than 83,000 border crossings in June 2024, more than 99,000 in June 2023, and approximately 192,000 in June 2022. President Trump’s previous record low for border crossings was set in February 2025, with 8,347 illegal crossings, federal data shows.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also weighed in on the decline, crediting the administration’s renewed enforcement posture. “The world is hearing our message: the border is closed to law breakers,” Noem wrote on X Wednesday. “Under President Trump, our Border Patrol agents are empowered to do their job once again, secure our border, and protect the American people.” The drop in border crossings marks a major reversal from prior years and represents a key policy milestone for the Trump administration.

AOC Denies Medicaid for Illegal Aliens Exists as Dems Sue to Cover It Up
Latest

AOC Denies Medicaid for Illegal Aliens Exists as Dems Sue to Cover It Up

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Twenty Democrat-led states have filed a lawsuit against the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), seeking to prevent the agency from reviewing whether Medicaid funds have been used to cover individuals living in the country illegally. The legal challenge, led by California Attorney General Rob Bonta, targets a new initiative by federal health officials who, beginning in June, started sharing Medicaid data with DHS as part of a broader review.

According to a report from NPR, the lawsuit alleges that the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) directed the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to provide DHS with sensitive information about Medicaid enrollees in multiple states, including California, Illinois, Washington, and Washington, D.C. “The Trump Administration has upended longstanding privacy protections with its decision to illegally share sensitive, personal health data with ICE,” Bonta said in a statement announcing the lawsuit.

“In doing so, it has created a culture of fear that will lead to fewer people seeking vital emergency medical care.”

The lawsuit argues that the data sharing arrangement violates confidentiality provisions and undermines trust in the healthcare system. States involved in the legal action claim that Medicaid recipients’ private information — including names, addresses, Social Security numbers, immigration status, and healthcare details — is being improperly shared with immigration authorities.

The initiative, however, has drawn attention from Republicans, who have questioned whether taxpayer-funded Medicaid is being used to cover non-citizens, including illegal aliens. The issue has become a focal point in debates over President Donald Trump’s “One Big Beautiful Bill,” which includes provisions aimed at tightening Medicaid eligibility requirements and eliminating access to benefits for individuals in the country illegally.

Senator Eric Schmitt stated that the legislation would remove roughly 1.4 million illegal immigrants from Medicaid rolls.

The effort has been framed by supporters as a move to preserve taxpayer-funded programs for legal residents and citizens, and to curb abuse of public resources. Florida Rep. Anna Paulina Luna highlighted the contradiction between Democratic claims and state-level policy. Luna responded to comments by New York Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had posted on X: “Not one federal dollar currently goes to giving undocumented people Medicaid and you know that. What DOES need to be said is that Republicans are set to kick 17 million Americans off their health insurance.”

Luna pushed back by pointing to public data and state policies that permit Medicaid-like benefits for certain low-income immigrants, including those without legal status, in states such as California and Illinois.

Even NPR acknowledged in its coverage that some states allow immigrants who do not qualify for Medicaid to access publicly funded health programs. These programs are state-funded, but the data surrounding these enrollees is shared with CMS and now, under the new initiative, with DHS.

The lawsuit’s plaintiffs argue that the data-sharing effort could discourage immigrants from seeking care. Meanwhile, federal officials have defended the data exchange as necessary to ensure compliance with eligibility rules and to verify the proper use of federal healthcare dollars.

As legal proceedings unfold, DHS has not indicated whether it will pause its inquiry into Medicaid misuse. The Trump administration has continued to signal support for further oversight into how federal health funds are distributed across states. The case is expected to raise broader questions about privacy, federal oversight, and the balance between public health access and immigration enforcement. No timeline has been provided for when the courts may issue a ruling on the matter.

Read More at Drew Berquist

Jaguar’s Sales Plummet in Europe After Rebrand and Car-Free Ad Campaign
Economics

Jaguar’s Sales Plummet in Europe After Rebrand and Car-Free Ad Campaign

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Jaguar’s vehicle sales in Europe plummeted 97.5 percent in April 2025 compared to the same month last year, marking a severe downturn for the British car manufacturer following its controversial rebranding strategy. According to new data from the European Automobile Manufacturers’ Association (AECA), Jaguar registered only 49 new vehicles in Europe in April 2025, a steep decline from the 1,961 units sold in April 2024. The drop comes after the automaker introduced a new brand direction that has received widespread criticism from both consumers and industry analysts.

Jaguar’s rebranding efforts began with the November 2024 unveiling of its new concept vehicle, the Type 00 — pronounced “zero zero.” The launch was accompanied by an ad campaign that featured no vehicles but instead focused on artistic imagery, fashion-centric visuals, and androgynous models. The decision to avoid showcasing actual cars in the campaign drew heavy backlash.

Sales data show the impact has extended beyond a single month. Jaguar’s year-to-date sales in Europe from January through April 2025 fell 75.1 percent, with only 2,665 vehicles sold compared to significantly higher figures from the same period in 2024. Global sales for the 2024/25 financial year also reflected the downturn. Jaguar reported just 26,862 vehicles sold worldwide, representing an 85 percent drop compared to 2018.

The brand’s managing director, Rawdon Glover, defended the strategy in an interview with the Financial Times. He described the campaign as “bold” and denied that the company was pursuing a political agenda. “If we play in the same way that everybody else does, we’ll just get drowned out,” Glover said.

“So we shouldn’t turn up like an auto brand.”

He also addressed the criticism that followed the campaign’s release.

“The message was lost in a blaze of intolerance,” Glover stated, referring to negative reactions on social media.

“It was never intended to be ‘woke.’”

Jaguar’s attempt to reposition itself as a “lifestyle-focused, fashion-forward brand” has raised concerns about whether the company’s new image has alienated its traditional customer base.

Read More at RVM News

Fed Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Accused of Lying to Congress Over .5B “Palace of Versailles” HQ Revamp
News

Fed Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Accused of Lying to Congress Over $2.5B “Palace of Versailles” HQ Revamp

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Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell is under fire following accusations that he misled Congress about the extent and extravagance of a controversial $2.5 billion renovation of the Fed’s Washington, D.C. headquarters. Critics, including lawmakers and former Federal Reserve insiders, are now demanding accountability after Powell’s sworn testimony appeared to contradict government planning documents.

During a Senate Banking Committee hearing last week, Powell was grilled over The Post’s April exposé, which revealed a bloated renovation project some have compared to the “Palace of Versailles.” Under intense questioning, Powell rejected the portrayal as “misleading and inaccurate.” “There’s no VIP dining room, there’s no new marble. There are no special elevators,” Powell testified. “There are no new water features, there’s no beehives, and there’s no roof terrace gardens.”

However, planning documents submitted to the National Capital Planning Commission in 2021 — and not revised since — appear to directly refute Powell’s claims. One excerpt notes, “The private dining rooms on Level 4 (of the Fed’s Eccles building) will be restored,” while another confirms, “The Governors’ private elevator will be extended to discharge at the dining suite level.” Additional plans specify “vegetated roof terraces” designed to attract “urban wildlife and pollinators,” along with mentions of new marble installations and water features.

Andrew T. Levin, a Dartmouth economics professor who served at the Fed for two decades, didn’t mince words about Powell’s testimony. “A top Fed official cannot be permitted to make false statements under oath at a congressional hearing,” Levin stated. “Such statements must be promptly corrected, and in egregious cases, subject to censure by the Senate.”

Republican lawmakers echoed those sentiments. Sen. Cynthia Lummis (R-Wyo.), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, slammed Powell for being “clearly not prepared for his testimony, and should be embarrassed.”

“He made a number of factually inaccurate statements to the Committee regarding the Fed’s plush private dining room and elevator, skylights, water features, and roof terrace,” Lummis told The Post. “This is typical of the mismanagement and ‘don’t bother me’ attitude that Chair Powell has always shown.”

The Federal Reserve has declined to comment on the controversy, further fueling criticism over transparency and accountability. Adding to the firestorm is the skyrocketing cost of the Fed’s headquarters overhaul, which has jumped 30% from its original $1.9 billion estimate to a staggering $2.5 billion. Powell appeared to brush off concerns about fiscal discipline during his testimony, stating simply, “The cost overruns are what they are.”

Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), chair of the Senate Banking Committee, criticized the project as “luxury upgrades that feel more like they belong in the Palace of Versailles,” signaling growing impatience among lawmakers over what they perceive as government excess.

The Fed’s renovation splurge is drawing heightened scrutiny due to the institution’s current financial woes.

Read More at RVM News

“Fact Checkers” Get Debunked Over Trump’s Claims About Trump’s “Pure Communist” Comment About Mamdani
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“Fact Checkers” Get Debunked Over Trump’s Claims About Trump’s “Pure Communist” Comment About Mamdani

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President Donald Trump referred to New York City mayoral nominee and State Assemblyman Zohran Mamdani as a “100% communist lunatic” during an appearance on Sunday Morning Futures with Maria Bartiromo in late June. The comment drew immediate responses from media outlets and fact-checking organizations, several of which labeled the statement as “false.”

Fact-checkers from outlets including PolitiFact and Al Jazeera asserted that Mamdani is a democratic socialist, not a communist, and dismissed Trump’s remarks as inaccurate. However, in the days following Trump’s comments, closer analysis of Mamdani’s affiliations, public statements, and policy positions has led to renewed questions about how distinct his views are from traditional communist doctrine.

“He’s a communist… a pure communist,” President Trump said in the Fox News interview.

“Let’s say this, if he does get in, I’m going to be president, and he’s going to have to do the right thing. They’re not getting any money. He’s got to do the right thing.”

Mamdani, who represents New York’s 36th Assembly District in Queens, is a member of the Democratic Socialists of America (DSA), an organization that advocates for a range of policies that include universal public housing, socialized healthcare, and eliminating profit motives from key sectors of the economy.

While the DSA does not label itself as a communist group, its platform draws from ideological frameworks with Marxist and Trotskyist roots. According to the DSA’s published materials, the group supports “democratic control over the economy,” “worker ownership,” and the dismantling of structures it considers “profit-driven exploitation.” Mamdani has publicly supported and sponsored legislation that aligns with these goals, including:

– Rent cancellation and eviction bans during states of emergency
– Creation of publicly owned grocery stores in underserved communities
– Elimination of the 421-a tax incentive for private real estate developers
– Expansion of fare-free public transportation
– Proposals to transfer housing and public goods to state control

In public statements and posts on social media, Mamdani has frequently referred to landlords as “exploitative,” called for the end of private profit in housing, and described capitalism as “structurally violent.”

A resurfaced video clip from 2021 shows Mamdani stating that “the end goal is to seize the means of production,” a phrase historically associated with communist economic theory. Critics argue that these positions, along with Mamdani’s alignment with the DSA, reflect an ideological framework that closely resembles communism, regardless of how Mamdani identifies himself.

Trump’s remarks, they contend, reflect a broader concern over the policy direction and rhetoric embraced by some figures on the left. Despite that, media outlets have pushed back, focusing their fact-checking primarily on definitions.

PolitiFact’s analysis emphasized that Mamdani has not openly declared himself a communist and has not called for the abolition of all private property or representative democracy. Their assessment categorized Trump’s comment as “false” on the grounds that it misrepresents Mamdani’s declared political affiliation.

The dispute centers less on party membership and more on ideology. While Mamdani does not belong to a formal communist party, his policy goals — including public ownership, the elimination of private profit in essential services, and wealth redistribution — mirror concepts found in Marxist economics.

President Trump’s remarks have brought national attention to Mamdani’s candidacy in the aftermath of his surprise win in the Democratic primary for New York City mayor. Mamdani’s campaign has continued to promote a platform focused on housing, transit, and labor reforms. As the general election approaches, scrutiny of his ideology and the broader implications for Democratic Party politics remains ongoing.

Read More at Drew Berquist

DHS Uncovers Disturbing Abuse of Migrant Kids During Biden’s Watch
Washington, D.C. (June 14, 2021) Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas participates in an interview with Michael Isikoff from Yahoo News.
Border

DHS Uncovers Disturbing Abuse of Migrant Kids During Biden’s Watch

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The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has revealed widespread abuse and neglect suffered by unaccompanied minors who crossed into the United States and were placed with unvetted or improperly vetted sponsors under the previous administration. In February 2025, DHS launched a national child welfare initiative aimed at locating and protecting migrant children at risk of exploitation.

The initiative has already uncovered troubling patterns of abuse, including instances of forced labor, sexual abuse, and placement with adults convicted of serious crimes.“Children’s safety and security is non-negotiable,” said Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) spokesperson Laszlo Baksay.

“The previous administration’s failure to implement meaningful safeguards has allowed vulnerable kids to fall into the hands of criminals. Our special agents are working tirelessly to locate these alien children, ensure their protection, and hold accountable those who have abused the system.”

As part of the ongoing investigation, ICE’s Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) division has conducted welfare checks on unaccompanied minors who were placed with sponsors after entering the U.S. DHS officials said these checks have revealed numerous sponsors in possession of child sexual abuse material (CSAM), and others who forced children into labor or subjected them to substandard living conditions.

Some sponsors had criminal records that included convictions for drug trafficking, prostitution, attempted murder, and hit-and-run offenses. In what DHS described as “the most disturbing cases,” sponsors falsely claiming to be family members impregnated minor girls placed in their care.

Chris Clem, the former U.S. Border Patrol chief at the Yuma Sector in Arizona, confirmed the findings and expressed concern about gaps in child protection during the previous administration. Clem had advised the Trump administration’s Health and Human Services Department on solutions for managing unaccompanied minors during the early days of President Trump’s first term. “While that had begun on Inauguration Day, because of the backlog of cases, the information… was poor at best in so many of these instances,” Clem said.

“It was taking more time. And so we put a lot of things in place that… everything is lining up. … There should be zero controversy regarding protecting the children. Regardless of the ideologues that are out there, accounting for these children is critical.”

Clem added that issues involving unaccompanied minors were not fully addressed under the prior administration, despite record-breaking illegal border crossings.

“We knew from a law enforcement perspective, our job was to do the immediate safety check, and then we had to process the kids and place them in custody of [the] Office of Refugee Resettlement,” Clem said.

“Now, what happened from there, we didn’t have specifics, but we knew… it was government. … We knew there [were] probably problems — the vetting and being able to ask questions to the kids was never something we were really allowed to do.”

According to DHS, if ICE HSI agents encounter illegal aliens during welfare checks, the adults are processed for removal.

However, unaccompanied minors found to be in the country illegally are placed in the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement.

“Our agents are doing what should’ve been done all along: protecting children, not pushing them into the shadows,” said Baksay.

“This is the responsibility of any government, Republican or Democrat, but it was the Trump administration that insisted on rigorous sponsor screening and biometric verification. Those guardrails were dismantled, and we’re now seeing the consequences.”

Clem emphasized the importance of restoring public trust. “The expectation of the American public that our government is serving the kids in the best interest was absolutely necessary,” he said.

“That’s why it’s important to me — because it’s protecting children, and it’s doing what the majority of Americans expect us to do as a government — and that’s, at the very least, take care of these children.”

The Federation for American Immigration Reform (FAIR) estimates there are roughly 18.6 million illegal immigrants living in the United States as of March 2025 — a population increase of 4.1 million since December 2020. Recent data from U.S. Border Patrol shows zero migrant releases into the country in May 2025, a sharp decline from the 62,000 released during the same period under the Biden-Harris administration in May 2024.

Read More at RVM News

Rosie O’Donnell Details How Bad Donald Trump Broke Her Before Fleeing to Ireland
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Rosie O’Donnell Details How Bad Donald Trump Broke Her Before Fleeing to Ireland

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Actress and comedian Rosie O’Donnell said this week that she relocated to Ireland due to the impact President Donald Trump’s first term had on her mental health. Speaking with Chris Cuomo on his podcast, O’Donnell described the move as an act of “self-preservation,” citing depression, alcohol use, and public encounters that left her feeling unsafe in the United States.

O’Donnell has been an outspoken critic of President Trump for years, frequently clashing with him publicly. During the interview, she said the national political climate and public reaction to Trump’s presidency left her disillusioned and emotionally distressed.

“I was very, very depressed. I was overeating. I was overdrinking,” O’Donnell told Cuomo. “It hurt my heart that America believed the lies about him. And then it broke my heart to be in a business that creates and sells those lies for profit.”

O’Donnell said her decision to leave the U.S. was motivated by a desire to protect her mental well-being. She described the move to Ireland as a personal reset, offering an environment where she felt distanced from what she described as the pressures of American celebrity culture and political hostility.

“When I got here, I noticed right away there was a different culture about celebrity. They’re not lauded in Ireland. They’re not thought of as better than anyone else,” O’Donnell said. “Coming home here felt like coming home.”

She also described a series of negative interactions in public following Trump’s election in 2016, saying those moments contributed to her desire to leave the country. O’Donnell recounted an incident involving her child, who is autistic. “People in CVS saying to me and my autistic 12-year-old, ‘Hey, Rosie, Trump won. Ha ha.’

One cursed at us,” she said. “I find myself feeling safe,” she added. “There’s no MAGA support here.”

O’Donnell did not specify when exactly she moved to Ireland, but described the transition as one that provided emotional relief. She did not indicate whether the move is permanent, though she characterized it as a necessary change for her and her family. The comments come as O’Donnell continues to remain active in media and entertainment. She did not directly reference any upcoming projects during the podcast episode, instead focusing on the emotional toll she said the political climate had taken on her during and after President Trump’s time in office.

President Trump has not publicly responded to O’Donnell’s latest remarks. The two have had a history of public feuds dating back to his business and television career, prior to his election as President. The interview with Cuomo marks O’Donnell’s first detailed public explanation of her move to Ireland and the personal reasons behind it.

Read More at Red Voice News

Democrat Rep. McIver Shocked by Charges After ICE Agent Assault: “It’s Scary”
News

Democrat Rep. McIver Shocked by Charges After ICE Agent Assault: “It’s Scary”

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Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) publicly addressed federal charges filed against her during an interview with MSNBC’s Jen Psaki this week, as reported by The Gateway Pundit. McIver is facing up to 17 years in prison in connection with an alleged assault involving federal law enforcement officers at a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in New Jersey. The charges stem from an incident during a congressional visit to the detention center, where McIver allegedly interfered with federal officers and resisted their commands.

According to federal prosecutors, McIver is charged with three counts of forcibly impeding and interfering with federal officers. “I never thought I would be facing charges as a sitting congresswoman,” McIver said in the Wednesday interview. “It’s a scary situation, too, because I’m thinking of my mom.” She added that her mother was present during her legal proceedings and had been significantly stressed by the situation.

McIver, a first-term Democrat representing New Jersey, stated that the charges arose from a visit to the ICE facility that she claims was part of a congressional oversight role. She said the potential sentence weighs heavily on her and her family. “When they’re saying that you’re going to face 17 years in prison, I’m thinking about my daughter, who’s 9 years old. I’m thinking about my husband, my family,” McIver said. “And it’s like, ‘Oh, my God, this is awful.’”

Federal prosecutors allege that McIver physically engaged with federal officers at the facility, prompting the charges. The exact details of the altercation have not been fully disclosed by either party, but officials confirmed that the investigation remains active.

The Department of Justice has not commented further on the pending case. McIver has not entered a plea at this time, and it remains unclear whether the case will proceed to trial. The arrest and potential sentencing have drawn national attention, given McIver’s status as an elected federal official. It is unusual for a sitting member of Congress to face such serious criminal charges stemming from a physical altercation with law enforcement. The incident took place during an anti-ICE rally at the facility. McIver has not publicly confirmed whether her visit was tied directly to the protest, but sources familiar with the investigation say the congresswoman was among several individuals demonstrating against ICE operations at the time.

Read More at Red Voice News

Trump Warns of “Far Greater” Strikes if Iran Rejects Peace After Nuclear Sites “Obliterated”
National Affairs

Trump Warns of “Far Greater” Strikes if Iran Rejects Peace After Nuclear Sites “Obliterated”

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President Donald Trump on Saturday night issued a stern warning to Iran, stating that future U.S. military strikes would be “far greater” if the Islamic Republic refuses to accept peace. The address came hours after the United States conducted a major coordinated airstrike targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.

Speaking from the White House at 10 p.m., flanked by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, Trump emphasized the seriousness of the latest military action and the consequences of further escalation.

“Iran, the bully of the Middle East, must now make peace,” Trump said.

“If they do not, future attacks will be far greater and a lot easier. This cannot continue. There will be either peace or there will be tragedy for Iran, far greater than we have witnessed over the last eight days.”

The U.S. military’s latest operation targeted three of Iran’s principal nuclear enrichment sites—Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan—using what the administration described as “massive precision strikes.” Trump said the facilities were “completely and totally obliterated.”

“Tonight’s was the most difficult of them all, by far, and perhaps the most lethal,” Trump said, noting that additional strikes would follow if Tehran does not move toward a peaceful resolution.

“But if peace does not come quickly, we will go after those other targets with precision, speed and skill.”

“Our objective was the destruction of Iran’s nuclear enrichment capacity, and a stop to the nuclear threat posed by the world’s No. 1 state sponsor of terror,” he added.

President Trump also confirmed that the United States worked in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in carrying out the strikes aimed at crippling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.

He credited the Israeli military and praised the joint efforts between the two nations.

“We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel,” Trump said.

“I want to thank the Israeli military for the wonderful job they’ve done, and most importantly, I want to congratulate the great American patriots who flew those magnificent machines tonight and all of the United States military on an operation the likes of which the world has not seen in many, many decades.”

“Hopefully we will no longer need their services in this capacity,” he added, referring to continued military involvement.

Trump described the strikes as part of a broader reckoning with Iran’s hostile activities dating back decades.

“For 40 years, Iran has been saying, ‘Death to America, Death to Israel,’” he said.

“They have been killing our people, blowing off their arms, blowing off their legs, with roadside bombs. That was their specialty. We lost over a thousand people and hundreds of thousands throughout the Middle East and around the world have died as a direct result of their hate.”

The decision to approve the strikes followed days of deliberation.

Trump had previously stated that he would make the final decision “seconds” before necessary.

On Thursday, he signaled that a decision would come “within the next two weeks.”

According to a source close to the White House, Trump gave final authorization after Iran publicly declared on Friday that it would not enter negotiations while under Israeli military pressure.

No additional targets or future timelines were disclosed in the president’s address, but Trump left open the possibility of further action should Iran continue to defy calls for peace.

Please visit Drew Berquist for more stories like this.


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