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Border Czar Tom Homan Flattens CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Live TV
Illegal Immigration

Border Czar Tom Homan Flattens CNN’s Kaitlan Collins on Live TV

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Image Credit:© Thomas Bender / Sarasota Herald-Tribune / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Tom Homan, the border czar under President Donald Trump, appeared on CNN Thursday night and strongly refuted claims made by host Kaitlan Collins regarding the deportation of Kilmar Abrego Garcia, a known MS-13 gang member, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The tense exchange followed renewed media criticism after Abrego Garcia was deported to El Salvador despite past court rulings and legal challenges.

WASHINGTON D.C., USA – FEBRUARY 4, 2025: Kaitlan Collins speaks ahead of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump news conference in the East Room of the White House.

Abrego Garcia illegally entered the United States in 2011. According to the Trump administration, two separate court rulings confirmed his membership in the violent transnational MS-13 gang.

Those rulings formed the basis for his classification as both an illegal alien and a designated foreign terrorist, prompting his removal from the United States.

In 2019, an immigration judge allowed Abrego Garcia to remain in Maryland due to safety concerns if returned to El Salvador.

However, since then, conditions in El Salvador have shifted significantly, and President Nayib Bukele has launched a nationwide crackdown on gang violence, leading to the near-eradication of MS-13 in the country.

Despite the immigration judge’s 2019 ruling, the Trump administration proceeded with deportation, citing updated security assessments and Abrego Garcia’s designation as a terrorist.

X Screenshot – The White House

A subsequent ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court directed the administration to “facilitate” his return to the U.S., following pressure from lower courts, including an Obama-appointed judge who urged federal authorities to not only facilitate but “effectuate” the return.

El Salvador, however, has refused to comply. President Bukele has publicly stated that he will not allow Abrego Garcia to return to the United States, and the gang member remains in Salvadoran custody.

During the CNN interview, Collins relied on the 2019 immigration ruling to criticize the administration’s actions. She asked Homan:

“What would you say to those who worry that the stance of this administration is that if someone is deported by accident, they have no responsibility once they’re in the custody of a foreign government?”

Homan responded:

“He’s in the custody of El Salvador; he’s an El Salvadoran national… The El Salvadoran president has made it clear he’s not going to release him.”

He also reiterated that the Department of Justice is handling the ongoing legal battle, and that future developments will be decided by the courts.

Collins pressed further, citing the 2019 ruling as evidence that Abrego Garcia’s deportation was improper.

“Even though it was an immigration judge that said the one place he can’t go is El Salvador, he could have been deported literally anywhere else…”

Homan quickly responded:

“We keep going back and back… That was years ago, the country was different. That gang no longer exists in El Salvador.”

The interview ended with no resolution but highlighted the ongoing conflict between the judiciary, the executive branch, and international partners over immigration enforcement involving foreign nationals tied to terrorism and organized crime.

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

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

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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.

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

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

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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.

Janet Yellen Calls Trump’s American Manufacturing Comeback a “Pipe Dream,” Not Worth Pursuing
Democrats, Economics

Janet Yellen Calls Trump’s American Manufacturing Comeback a “Pipe Dream,” Not Worth Pursuing

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Image Credit: © Jack Gruber-USA TODAY

Former Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen downplayed the feasibility of reviving American manufacturing during a recent interview, calling the idea a “pipe dream” and questioning whether it should even be a “desirable goal.”

As Breitbart reported, the remarks come at a time when major tech companies are investing heavily in U.S.-based production, challenging her position.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen speaks during the McCain Institute’s 2024 Sedona Forum at Enchantment Resort on May 3, 2024 in Sedona.

Yellen, who led the Federal Reserve from 2014 to 2018 and later served as President Joe Biden’s Treasury Secretary from 2021 to 2025, made the comments Monday during an appearance on CNBC’s Squawk Box.

She criticized the impact of former President Donald Trump’s reciprocal tariff policy, suggesting it created uncertainty for businesses and households.

“Things have been just chaotic,” Yellen said. “The reciprocal tariffs put on and paused … This is really creating an environment in which households and businesses feel paralyzed by the uncertainty about what’s going to happen — it makes planning almost impossible.”

When asked about the future of domestic production, Yellen dismissed the idea of bringing back American manufacturing, saying:

“Perhaps it’s to bring back American manufacturing, but I really think that’s a pipe dream, and not something that is likely to be accomplished. And we could even raise questions about whether or not, in a broad-based way, that’s a desirable goal.”

Her remarks sparked swift backlash from conservatives, including Kentucky businessman Nate Morris, a potential Republican Senate candidate.

“The very same leftwing elites who are responsible for gutting our manufacturing base, screwing over our workers and building up the Chinese Communist Party,” Morris wrote on X, “are upset because President Trump is committed to putting America First and ending their globalist agenda.”

Yellen had previously criticized Trump’s economic strategy during an interview last week on CNN, where she described the Trump-era tariffs as “the worst self-inflicted policy wound I’ve ever seen in my career inflicted on our economy.”

“The Trump tariff plans are doing immense damage to our economy,” she told CNN’s Anderson Cooper during her first televised interview since President Trump returned to office.

Despite her remarks, American investment in domestic manufacturing continues to surge.

On the same day as Yellen’s comments, tech giant Nvidia revealed plans to expand its AI operations within the U.S. The company announced it will build AI supercomputers in Texas and invest up to $500 billion into American AI production infrastructure.

“The engines of the world’s AI infrastructure are being built in the United States for the first time,” said Nvidia founder and CEO Jensen Huang.

“Adding American manufacturing helps us better meet the incredible and growing demand for AI chips and supercomputers, strengthens our supply chain and boosts our resiliency.”

The contrast between Yellen’s skepticism and Nvidia’s multibillion-dollar commitment highlights an ongoing divide over the future of U.S. industrial policy under the renewed America First agenda.

Watch the full interview:

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Harvard Professors Try Blocking Audit Into Billions in Government Grants
News

Harvard Professors Try Blocking Audit Into Billions in Government Grants

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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.

Karoline Leavitt Roasts Reporters: “One of the Greatest Cover-Ups and Political Scandals”
News

Karoline Leavitt Roasts Reporters: “One of the Greatest Cover-Ups and Political Scandals”

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Image Credit: Joshua Sukoff – Shutterstock.com

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt on Friday addressed the contrast in transparency between the Trump and Biden administrations, particularly regarding Joe Biden’s cognitive condition during his time in office.

Jan 28th 2025 First White House Press Briefing By Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt

Leavitt also took aim at members of the media for their role in what she described as a coordinated effort to downplay Biden’s mental decline. During a White House press briefing, Leavitt fielded a question about President Donald Trump’s upcoming annual physical at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.

She assured reporters that the White House would release updates from the physician once the examination was completed. The exchange took a turn when a reporter brought up the issue of transparency in relation to the previous administration.

That prompted Leavitt to criticize both the Biden administration and members of the press for failing to address the issue of Biden’s declining mental acuity while he was in office.

“I can tell you there was certainly a lack of transparency from the former president, from the entire former administration, and frankly, a lot of people in this room when it came to the health and the competence of the former President of the United States, Joe Biden,” Leavitt said.

She went on to characterize the collective effort to obscure Biden’s cognitive condition as “one of the greatest cover-ups, and frankly, political scandals this nation has ever seen.”

Leavitt also commented on recent revelations published in books written by journalists who previously downplayed or ignored signs of Biden’s cognitive issues.

“It’s been unraveled in some recent books that are being written by journalists who engaged in that cover-up and scandal, which is quite ironic,” she noted.

Though she did not name specific individuals, the remarks appeared to reference reporters who once dismissed concerns about Biden’s mental sharpness.

Some, like CNN’s Jake Tapper, had previously suggested that criticism of Biden’s verbal gaffes or memory lapses was merely an attack on his stutter.

In recent weeks, Leavitt has also raised the issue of potential transparency surrounding Special Counsel Robert Hur’s interview with Biden.

When asked earlier this week whether the Trump administration would consider releasing audio recordings of that interview, Leavitt responded, “I don’t have an update on that, but I can certainly check. I think the American people would be quite interested to hear that tape, but I’ll double-check on the release of it.”

Leavitt has become known for challenging members of the press to pursue accountability with equal rigor across administrations.

In a previous exchange with CNN anchor Kaitlan Collins, Leavitt questioned whether Biden had knowingly used an autopen to sign official documents, including pardons.

“Was he aware of his signature being used on every single pardon?” she asked.

When Collins countered by asking for evidence, Leavitt replied, “You’re a reporter; you should find out.”

At Friday’s briefing, Leavitt emphasized that President Trump remains active and engaged, noting that reporters who have covered him “know from covering [Trump], it’s hard to keep up with him.”

She added, “He is a machine working around the clock every single day, and the physician, after today’s physical, will provide an update on the report in the effort of transparency.”

Leavitt’s remarks come as new information continues to emerge from inside the Biden administration.

One recent book revealed that Kamala Harris’s team reportedly maintained a “death-pool roster” of federal judges who could take emergency action if Biden were to die in office.

The report has added fuel to ongoing concerns about the lack of transparency surrounding Biden’s health during his presidency.

As questions of competency and openness dominate the headlines, Leavitt’s call for equal scrutiny across political lines signals a continued push from the Trump administration for accountability—not just from political opponents, but from the press corps covering them.

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Trump’s Self-Deport Plan Gains Steam as DHS Hits 5,000+ Removals, Deadline in Talks for Rest
Illegal Immigration

Trump’s Self-Deport Plan Gains Steam as DHS Hits 5,000+ Removals, Deadline in Talks for Rest

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President Donald Trump announced Thursday that his administration is preparing to implement a strict self-deportation deadline for illegal immigrants currently residing in the United States.

During a Cabinet meeting at the White House, Trump said immigrants who leave voluntarily within a forthcoming 60-day window may have the opportunity to return legally in the future. Those who fail to comply, however, will be barred from applying for legal reentry, as Fox News reported.

2020 National Convention WASHINGTON, DC – AUGUST 27: U.S. President Donald Trump gestures after delivering his acceptance speech for the Republican presidential nomination on the South Lawn.

“We’re going to work with people, so that if they go out in a nice way, and go back to their country, we’re going to work with them right from the beginning on trying to get them back in legally,” Trump said after hearing remarks from Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

“So it gives you real incentive, otherwise they’ll never come back — they’ll never be allowed once a certain period of time goes by, which is probably going to be 60 days.”

The plan is part of a broader voluntary removal initiative underway by the Trump administration, which is encouraging illegal immigrants to self-deport through the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) Home app.

According to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) data, more than 5,000 individuals have chosen to self-deport in the past month alone.

“It’s a very big self-deport operation that we’re starting,” Secretary Noem stated during the meeting.

She explained that under current law, including the Alien Registration Act and the President’s Executive Orders, undocumented immigrants who fail to register their status with the federal government could face criminal charges, fines up to $1,000 per day, and permanent bans on reentry.

Noem also noted that DHS is working to ensure that deported individuals receive some form of support upon returning to their countries of origin.

Jul 15, 2024; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Gov. Kristi Noem (SD) during the first day of the Republican National Convention. The RNC kicked off the first day of the convention with the roll call vote of the states. Mandatory Credit: Jasper Colt-USA TODAY

She pointed to ongoing programs in Mexico, El Salvador, and Colombia that offer food and housing assistance to deportees.

“[We are] making sure that these folks have the opportunity to go home, so that they can get the chance to come back to America is important.”

The administration has not yet finalized the exact date the 60-day clock will begin, but the measure is expected to roll out in the coming weeks as part of a broader effort to restore law and order at the southern border and ensure compliance with immigration laws.

Fox News Digital contacted the White House for comment, but no response was received before publication.

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

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

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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.

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Two Reasons Leavitt Says U.S. Criminals Could Be Deported to El Salvador Hellhole Prison
Illegal Immigration

Two Reasons Leavitt Says U.S. Criminals Could Be Deported to El Salvador Hellhole Prison

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Image Credit: Jimwatson – Shutterstock.com

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed this week that American citizens could be deported to a high-security prison in El Salvador under specific conditions, following a proposal floated by President Donald Trump, as reported by The Daily Mail.

The idea centers around the Terrorism Confinement Center in El Salvador, a facility known for its extreme security and harsh conditions.

kittirat roekburi – Shutterstock.com

Often referred to as a “black hole of human rights,” the prison has gained international attention for its treatment of violent criminals. The proposal, according to Leavitt, is not yet a formal policy and remains under legal review.

“It is an idea he has simply floated,” Leavitt told reporters during a press briefing. She emphasized that if implemented, the deportation policy would target two specific groups: individuals with “heinous and violent” convictions and “violent repeat offenders.”

“These would be heinous, violent criminals. These are violent repeat offenders.”

The concept was inspired by a February offer from El Salvador President Nayib Bukele, who stated his country would be willing to accept convicted criminals, including U.S. citizens, into the massive prison facility in exchange for a fee.

“We are willing to take in only convicted criminals (including convicted U.S. citizens) into our mega-prison… in exchange for a fee,” Bukele wrote in a post on X.

President Trump praised the proposal during remarks on Air Force One. “I love it,” he said. “If he would take them, I’d be honored to give them. I don’t know what the law says on that, but I can’t imagine the law would say anything different. If they can house these horrible criminals for a lot less money than it costs us, I’m all for it.”

The facility, built to house gang members and violent offenders, currently holds several hundred alleged members of Venezuela’s Tren de Aragua gang, who were previously deported by Trump using the Alien Enemies Act.

That law, invoked only three times in U.S. history, allowed the administration to remove individuals deemed national security threats.

The U.S. Supreme Court recently upheld Trump’s authority to deport the Venezuelan nationals, though concerns remain. The court ruled that deportees are entitled to legal notice and an opportunity to challenge their removal—rights some did not receive.

Kristi Noem: “I toured the CECOT, El Salvador’s Terrorism Confinement Center.
President Trump and I have a clear message to criminal illegal aliens: LEAVE NOW.
If you do not leave, we will hunt you down, arrest you, and you could end up in this El Salvadorian prison.”

Disputes have also surfaced over whether all of the deportees met the threshold for removal.

Inside the prison, inmates are locked in crowded cells for 23.5 hours per day, only allowed 30 minutes of movement while chained in a hallway.

Cells are designed to hold up to 100 detainees, outfitted with 80 metal bunks, two toilets, and two sinks—without mattresses. Inmates are not allowed phone access, receive no visitors, and never go outdoors.

Each unit includes a separate, windowless cell for inmates deemed disruptive.

Leavitt reiterated that the president’s team is reviewing the legal feasibility of the move.

“The president has said if there is a legal pathway. He’s not sure. We’re not sure if there is. It’s an idea that he has simply floated.”

Liberal critics have strongly opposed the concept. In a dissenting opinion, Justice Sonia Sotomayor wrote:

“The implication of the Government’s position is that not only noncitizens but also United States citizens could be taken off the streets, forced onto planes, and confined to foreign prisons with no opportunity for redress if judicial review is denied unlawfully before removal. History is no stranger to such lawless regimes, but this Nation’s system of laws is designed to prevent, not enable, their rise.”

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

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

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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.

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