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Scientists Accused of Smuggling Monkeypox Samples Into US and Lying to Investigators [WATCH]
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Scientists Accused of Smuggling Monkeypox Samples Into US and Lying to Investigators [WATCH]

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Two government scientists are facing federal charges after authorities say they smuggled biological samples of the mpox virus into the United States and lied about it to investigators.

The case shines an uncomfortable light on lax oversight within taxpayer-funded research institutions and raises fresh concerns about how potentially dangerous materials are handled by those entrusted to protect public health.

Vincent Munster, the chief of the virus ecology section at Rocky Mountain Laboratories in Montana, and fellow researcher Claude Kwe were detained at Detroit Metropolitan Airport in January after arriving from Paris following a nine-day trip to the Republic of Congo.

Federal court documents reveal that agents discovered the pair attempting to carry undeclared vials of deactivated mpox virus into the country.

At first, Munster “adamantly denied” having any biological materials with him, according to an FBI affidavit.

But subsequent testing showed that both men did in fact possess samples, and neither had secured the necessary permits or approvals for transporting the materials.

For scientists who operate in secure federal laboratories, that level of negligence or deception is alarming.

Marcus Sykes of the Office of Inspector General at the Department of Health and Human Services made clear how serious the offense is.

“Any deliberate effort to conceal and smuggle biological materials into the United States without proper authorization is a breach of the public’s trust and could have placed the public at risk,” he said in a statement.

It is rare to hear a government official use such direct language about a scandal involving his own side of the bureaucracy.

The criminal complaint, unsealed in Detroit federal court, lays out a troubling pattern of deception.

Investigators say Munster told customs officers that he had “all the documents on my laptop, but you don’t need them, I do this all the time.”

The FBI noted in its report that such statements were “materially false.” In plain English, the scientist appears to have lied to federal agents.

The pair’s home agency, the National Institutes of Health, issued a cautious response, calling it “an ongoing investigation and personnel matter.”

Officials claimed the NIH is cooperating fully with law enforcement.

That kind of boilerplate language has become all too familiar in Washington whenever a scandal touches its own institutions.

Munster and Kwe are both established virologists who have studied mpox extensively.

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Federal documents do not say why they felt the need to bring deactivated vials into the United States, or why they circumvented the required reporting.

Some who have worked with similar research suggest that “deactivated” material still presents logistical and ethical obligations for transport that must be closely monitored.

The Republic of Congo, where the scientists had recently been working, has seen over two thousand confirmed deaths tied to mpox outbreaks.

Even if the virus samples were noninfectious, the symbolism of sneaking them through customs at a major American airport could not be worse.

It evokes memories of the Wuhan laboratory controversy that haunted public trust during the pandemic years.

Americans have a right to demand accountability when publicly funded scientists act with such disregard.

Mpox, once known as monkeypox, has a long and complicated history. First identified in monkeys in 1958, it remained largely confined to central and western Africa for decades.

In 2022, the world learned the virus could spread through human sexual contact, sparking outbreaks across more than seventy countries.

It is not a virus any rational person would want smuggled, deactivated or not.

Though the FBI made no mention of deliberate malicious intent, their language leaves open questions about motive.

Was this simple arrogance, routine misconduct, or something more sinister?

The fact that federal scientists thought they could brush past customs officers by claiming “I do this all the time” should alarm anyone who thinks accountability applies equally to all.

Both men are expected to appear in federal court in Missoula, Montana.

Observers inside and outside the science community are waiting to see whether the Department of Justice will pursue prison time or rely on the all too common government practice of quietly settling matters behind laboratory doors.

Many taxpayers are tired of watching the bureaucratic circle close ranks when insiders break rules that would land any private citizen in jail.

Public reaction has been swift on social media, with users questioning how often similar violations might occur undetected.

With billions flowing annually to health research, Americans are owed transparency.

When government scientists act as if the law does not apply to them, it does more than erode trust.

It feeds the growing belief that our ruling class plays by its own rules while preaching safety and compliance to everyone else.

The details still unfolding in this case are a reminder that accountability in science is only meaningful if it applies equally, from the smallest private lab to the grand halls of Washington.

A system that cannot police its own ranks invites even deeper suspicion.

After the upheaval of recent years, that is the last thing public health can afford.

Mamdani Scrambles to Fix Puerto Rican Day Debacle After Backlash From Angry Latino Leaders [WATCH]
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Mamdani Scrambles to Fix Puerto Rican Day Debacle After Backlash From Angry Latino Leaders [WATCH]

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New York City’s far-left Mayor Zohran Mamdani is once again knee deep in political damage control after his administration stumbled into yet another avoidable controversy.

This time, the outrage came from none other than the city’s Latino community, furious over the mayor’s decision to scrap the long-held tradition of hosting a pre-Puerto Rican Day Parade reception at Gracie Mansion.

According to an internal email obtained by The Post, Mamdani’s team informed community leaders that the mayor would prioritize attending the parade rather than holding the customary celebration at his official residence.

The explanation sounded like something straight from a socialist press release about “working class New Yorkers,” not a mayor addressing one of the city’s most proud and historic cultural groups.

Alvaro Lopez, identified as the Brooklyn borough director within Mamdani’s so-called “Office of Mass Engagement,” told community leaders, “We will not be hosting a reception at Gracie Mansion.”

Lopez justified the move by claiming the mayor wanted to celebrate the day “in the company of as many working-class New Yorkers as possible” instead of an “invitation-only reception.” The spin did little to calm the outrage that immediately erupted.

Puerto Rican civic leaders, who have attended the annual Gracie Mansion celebration dating back to the Koch administration, were not amused by Mamdani’s tone deaf decision.

One advocate fumed to The Post, “If this mayor chooses to end that tradition, it’s a real slap in the face to our community.”

They reminded City Hall that the event has brought together Puerto Rican leaders from across the city and the island itself for decades.

The mayor’s office scrambled to reverse course as criticism poured in.

Within hours of the backlash hitting the press, a spokesperson claimed that the Puerto Rican Heritage reception would, in fact, be held after all, with a tentative date set for Saturday, June 13, right before the parade. Convenient timing, to say the least.

A City Hall insider tried to blame the fiasco on what they described as a “junior staffer who spoke out of turn,” suggesting that Mamdani had always intended to host the event.

That explanation, however, seemed thin, given the detailed email already circulated to community leaders.

Damage control mode had clearly been activated.

Mamdani’s spokesman issued a carefully crafted statement declaring, “We are excited to welcome community members and leaders to Gracie Mansion for a reception celebrating Puerto Rican Day and the generations of Puerto Ricans whose organizing, culture, and contributions continue to strengthen New York City.”

The statement read as classic political cleanup language after a self-inflicted blow.

Political insiders say the blunder is yet another example of Mamdani’s increasingly strained relationship with New York’s Latino political establishment.

Many within that community view the mayor as an outsider who is more interested in pushing socialist talking points than preserving long-held city traditions.

The growing distrust runs deep.

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This latest episode comes on the heels of Mamdani inserting himself into several Democratic primaries, choosing to back other Democratic Socialists over respected Latino incumbents.

His endorsement of fellow DSA member Darializa Avila Chevalier over veteran Congressman Adriano Espaillat in Harlem and the Bronx ruffled plenty of feathers.

Then came his opposition to the retiring Rep. Nydia Velázquez’s plan to back Brooklyn Borough President Antonio Reynoso as her successor.

Mamdani instead endorsed Queens Assemblywoman Claire Valdez, another DSA ally. The pattern is not lost on anyone watching city politics.

As if Mamdani’s political instincts were not already being questioned, the controversy also revived scrutiny of Alvaro Lopez, the aide whose email ignited the dust-up.

Lopez was previously exposed for celebrating the tearing down of posters calling for the release of Israeli hostages.

His very presence inside the administration had already drawn strong criticism from Jewish leaders.

Now his email has caused an entirely different community to question City Hall’s sincerity.

For many long-time observers, this is just another example of how ideology-driven politics collide with the real world of governance.

Mamdani has made a name for himself standing alongside far-left activists, but running a city requires something more than lofty rhetoric.

Respecting traditions and communicating with communities that make up the fabric of New York is part of the job.

Critics of the mayor say the episode shows a lack of maturity and political awareness that continues to define much of his administration.

While Mamdani’s team tries to frame the situation as a misunderstanding, the damage has been done.

The narrative that he cares more about promoting socialist allies than honoring cultural traditions has now hardened further.

Even with the reception reinstated, the Latino community has made it clear they are not impressed by the mayor’s backpedaling.

The Gracie Mansion event may go forward, but it will likely be remembered not as a celebration of heritage, but as a reminder of how quickly political arrogance can alienate even the most loyal voter blocs in America’s largest city.

As Mamdani tries to juggle competing factions within his own left-wing coalition, it is becoming increasingly evident that grandstanding and ideological posturing have real consequences.

The question now is whether the damage will fade after another round of photo ops, or if the city’s Latino leaders will remember this insult the next time ballots are cast.

Scandal-Plagued Democrat Graham Platner Bolts DC After Reporters Dig Into His Shady Past [WATCH]
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Scandal-Plagued Democrat Graham Platner Bolts DC After Reporters Dig Into His Shady Past [WATCH]

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Democratic Senate hopeful Graham Platner is learning that Washington scrutiny is a lot tougher than oyster farming in Maine.

His quick DC escape this week has all the signs of a candidate trying to outrun a scandal that refuses to die.

Platner abruptly called off his Capitol Hill fundraising tour once The Post began digging into reports of multiple sexting incidents involving him.

By Tuesday evening, the once-celebrated progressive from Maine had abandoned Democrat Central and fled back to his coastal hometown.

So much for standing up to the political heat.

The scandal started when revelations surfaced of Platner allegedly sending explicit messages to six different women while married.

His wife reportedly shared details of the behavior with a campaign aide in August 2025.

That raised questions not only about Platner’s character but also about whether the Democratic establishment knew about his behavior before putting their support behind him.

As The Post turned up at his old stomping grounds this week, Platner’s family members tried to run interference.

His mother-in-law, Elaine Crabtree, dismissed the allegations as “all bull” and declared the entire controversy fabricated.

But her dismissive tone does little to erase the cloud hanging over Platner’s campaign. The spectacle of relatives arguing with reporters only magnified the public embarrassment.

At Ironbound Restaurant and Inn, owned by Platner’s mother, some loyal locals tried to defend him.

Regulars described him as an honest man whose only fault is being “too good for Washington.”

Others shrugged off the allegations by comparing them to what they see as the Senate’s already “low moral bar.”

That is hardly a ringing endorsement of integrity from supporters who are forced to measure him against the political swamp.

Platner’s DC itinerary had included meetings with the Democratic elite, including top party figures like Bernie Sanders, Elizabeth Warren, Peter Welch, and Kirsten Gillibrand.

Ironically, while their staff tried to paint him as a victim of big-money Republicans, Platner was literally in Washington raising those same big-money contributions the left loves to criticize. The hypocrisy could not be clearer.

Sanders, visibly irritated by questions, lashed out at reporters, accusing “the billionaires” of conspiring against Platner.

That accusation might play well in activist circles, but it does nothing to refute the specific, credible allegations dogging Platner’s campaign.

When a candidate’s defense is reduced to blaming shadowy oligarchs, voters can smell desperation.

Meanwhile, Platner’s allies in Washington scrambled to contain the fallout.

A VoteVets spokesperson confirmed that Platner canceled a planned appearance after hearing that reporters had reached his family.

His campaign manager insisted that the swift exit from Washington was because of “growing media presence outside their home and restaurant.”

That convenient excuse might have been more believable if Platner had not been in town courting wealthy donors and party insiders.

Even as the controversy swelled, top Democratic leaders circled the wagons.

Chuck Schumer doubled down on his endorsement of Platner, refusing to comment on the sexting reports and instead repeating talking points about beating Senator Susan Collins.

It was an evasive performance typical of a party that claims to champion “accountability” while protecting its own.

Platner’s campaign is trying to power through the scandal with optimism.

Gillibrand told reporters she was “very optimistic” about winning Maine, a comment that seems detached from reality, given the growing storm.

The situation leaves Democrats in Maine stuck between an embattled candidate and a primary ballot still listing former Governor Janet Mills, who suspended her campaign but reminded voters she remains an option.

Back home in Maine, the National Republican Senatorial Committee seized the moment with a biting protest outside Platner’s DC meetings, featuring men wrapped in towels, a jab at Platner’s rumored messaging app escapades.

The stunt drove home what Republicans intend to make a defining theme of the race: hypocrisy and weakness among Democrats who lecture others on morality while defending their own scandals.

Platner’s attempt to spin the scandal as media unfairness has not helped either.

Every move he makes seems to reinforce the image of a man more interested in self-preservation than transparency.

For a candidate who claims to represent accountability and honor, disappearing from Washington in the middle of a controversy is not a good look.

Democrats might frame this as a smear campaign, but Platner’s actions tell the story.

When a Senate hopeful cancels a fundraiser, dodges questions, and runs home to Maine as reporters ask about sexting and a secret Kik account, voters can draw their own conclusions. The old saying still stands, if you have nothing to hide, you do not run.

The longer Platner hides behind his handlers and the DNC’s talking points, the harder it becomes for Democrats to spin this mess.


Family denials and hometown defenses may soothe a few local supporters, but the national headlines are what will define him.

His campaign wanted to “bring positive change,” but as it stands, the only thing Graham Platner seems to be changing is his travel plans.

Far Left LGBT Activist Scott Wiener Celebrates Advancement in Race to Take Pelosi’s Position [WATCH]
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Far Left LGBT Activist Scott Wiener Celebrates Advancement in Race to Take Pelosi’s Position [WATCH]

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California State Sen. Scott Wiener is projected to advance in the race to replace longtime Rep. Nancy Pelosi after winning California’s 11th Congressional District primary late Tuesday, as reported by The Post Millennial.

Decision Desk HQ called the San Francisco primary for Wiener on Tuesday evening. Early returns showed Wiener leading the field with more than 43 percent of the vote. Connie Chan, a member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors who was backed by Pelosi, was holding second place with 28.1 percent.

Progressive activist Saikat Chakrabarti, a former chief of staff to Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, trailed behind as candidates competed for the second spot in the November general election.

Under California’s top-two primary system, the two candidates with the most votes advance to the general election regardless of party affiliation.

Wiener declared victory before supporters near San Francisco’s Castro District.

“The people of San Francisco sent a very clear message … San Franciscans are ready for bold, forward-looking leadership, for real results,” Wiener said at an election night party near the Castro neighborhood.

The race drew national attention after Pelosi announced her retirement following decades of representing San Francisco in Congress. Wiener had long been viewed as a potential successor to the former House speaker, but Pelosi declined to endorse him.

Instead, Pelosi backed Chan, creating a split between one of the Democratic Party’s most powerful figures and one of California’s most prominent state lawmakers.

Pelosi’s endorsement was not enough to put Chan at the top of the field in early returns.

Wiener has built a national profile in California politics through several high-profile and controversial measures. He authored legislation making California a sanctuary state for minors seeking gender-altering medical treatments. The law limits cooperation with out-of-state investigations and warrants tied to procedures that are legal in California.

Wiener described the measure at the time as making California a:

“state of refuge for trans kids and their families.”

He also co-authored legislation that would have required judges in child custody disputes to consider whether a parent affirmed a child’s gender identity. Gov. Gavin Newsom later vetoed that bill.

Other proposals associated with Wiener included legislation allowing trans-identifying male inmates to request placement in women’s prisons. He also opposed policies requiring schools to notify parents when a child adopts a different gender identity at school.

Wiener has also proposed drag queen classes as part of grade school education and authored a bill that would provide exemptions from the sex offender registry.

Wiener has faced scrutiny over his support for San Francisco’s annual Folsom Street Fair, a public fetish festival known for sexually explicit displays and activities.

With Wiener projected to move forward, the focus now turns to which candidate will join him on the November ballot. Chan was holding second place when Wiener was projected as the winner.

FBI Charges 35 in Major West Virginia Crime Bust as Kash Patel Expands National Crackdown [WATCH]
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FBI Charges 35 in Major West Virginia Crime Bust as Kash Patel Expands National Crackdown [WATCH]

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The FBI announced Tuesday that 35 individuals have been charged in connection with a yearlong narcotics and firearms investigation in West Virginia, while also launching a nationwide crime-fighting initiative aimed at targeting violent offenders through the summer months, as reported by Fox News.

According to the bureau, the investigation, known as Operation Turf War, began in early 2025 and was led by FBI Pittsburgh and FBI Baltimore in partnership with the Eastern Panhandle Drug and Violent Crimes Task Force.

Federal authorities said the operation resulted in dozens of arrests, the seizure of illegal firearms and narcotics, and the forfeiture of proceeds allegedly connected to violent criminal activity.

FBI Director Kash Patel discussed the results of the operation in a statement provided to Fox News Digital, describing the effort as a response to concerns raised by the local community.

“Operation Turf War was this FBI answering the call of a community that needed it the most,” Patel said.

The FBI said investigators relied on multiple law enforcement techniques during the operation, including confidential informants and cooperation among federal, state, and local agencies.

“This was a massively successful operation right in West Virginia with nearly three dozen individuals arrested using sophisticated techniques, confidential informants, and precise collaboration across the entire FBI enterprise with our partners,” Patel said.

Patel also highlighted cooperation among several law enforcement agencies involved in the operation.

He said the investigation demonstrated “exactly what partnerships are supposed to look like.”

According to Patel, agencies participating in the effort included the Martinsburg Police Department SWAT team, Jefferson County SWAT, and Homeland Security Investigations SWAT.

The announcement came as the FBI unveiled Operation Summer Heat 2.0, a nationwide initiative focused on reducing violent crime through partnerships with state and local law enforcement agencies.

The bureau said the program is an expanded version of an effort launched last year under then-Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino. That initiative resulted in thousands of arrests across the country.

Operation Summer Heat 2.0 is scheduled to run through Sept. 20 and will focus on identifying and disrupting violent criminals in communities nationwide.

“For the next 95 days, the entire country will see this FBI replicating these exact efforts across America with Operation Summer Heat – an extension of our work last year led by then Deputy Director Dan Bongino to crush violent crime,” Patel said.

“We’re just getting started,” he added.

The FBI released statistics from last year’s operation, reporting that Operation Summer Heat resulted in more than 8,600 arrests nationwide. The bureau also reported nearly 7,750 search operations, the seizure of 2,280 firearms, and more than 44,560 kilograms of cocaine.

Federal officials said this year’s initiative will be conducted on a larger scale than the previous effort.

According to the FBI, agents and task force officers will work alongside state and local law enforcement partners throughout the country to identify individuals involved in violent criminal activity and remove illegal firearms and narcotics from communities.

The bureau said Operation Turf War serves as an example of the type of coordinated enforcement effort it plans to expand during the summer initiative.

With Operation Summer Heat 2.0 now underway, federal officials say the focus will remain on collaboration between agencies as they pursue violent offenders and criminal organizations operating in communities across the United States.

Donald Trump Signs Bold Executive Order To Supercharge American AI Power And Security [WATCH]
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Donald Trump Signs Bold Executive Order To Supercharge American AI Power And Security [WATCH]

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President Donald Trump privately signed an executive order on Tuesday aimed at strengthening advanced artificial intelligence innovation and cybersecurity across the federal government and private sector, as reported by The Daily Caller.

The order directs federal agencies to “establish or expand” programs and cybersecurity services designed to “enhance AI-enabled defensive tools.” It also instructs agencies to “expedite and prioritize” the cyber defense of civilian federal government information systems to protect the country’s “vital functions.”

The executive order lays out the administration’s position that artificial intelligence development must be tied to national security, cybersecurity, and the protection of American technology.

“It is the policy of the United States to promote AI innovation and security by working collaboratively with the private sector to modernize government and private sector information systems and harden them against external threats; to protect American ingenuity and intellectual property from exploitation and theft by adversaries; and to cultivate America’s advanced AI-enabled capabilities,” the order states.

Trump also wrote that his administration “will continue to work closely with industry to ensure that the best and most secure technology is deployed rapidly to confront any and all threats to our country.”

The move comes after the White House delayed Trump’s signing of an artificial intelligence executive order in May, according to Politico. An anonymous senior White House official and two sources familiar with the matter told Politico on May 21 that the delay came after former crypto and AI czar David Sacks flagged industry concerns about the order to the president.

The order signed Tuesday places renewed focus on AI-enabled cyber defense, government modernization, and cooperation with private industry. It also reflects the administration’s effort to position the United States as a leader in advanced technology while addressing risks tied to cyberattacks, intellectual property theft, and foreign adversaries.

Trump previously addressed artificial intelligence in a separate executive order from December 2025. In that order, he said U.S. “leadership” in AI would promote “national and economic security and dominance across many domains.”

The administration’s latest AI action comes as Americans remain divided over the country’s rapid expansion of artificial intelligence. A Quinnipiac University poll released March 30 found that 35% of Americans said they were either very excited or somewhat excited about AI. The same poll found that 62% said they were either not so excited or not at all excited about it.

The order seeks to accelerate the use of AI for defensive cybersecurity functions while protecting federal systems that support key government operations. It also directs agencies to coordinate with the private sector, where much of the nation’s artificial intelligence development and deployment is taking place.

Trump’s executive order signals that the administration views artificial intelligence as both an economic priority and a national security issue. The directive calls for faster deployment of secure technology while warning that American intellectual property must be protected from exploitation and theft.

For an administration already focused on reshaping federal policy across immigration, trade, energy, and national security, the AI order adds another front: making sure the United States, not foreign adversaries, leads the next phase of advanced technology.

Video From UK Murder Scene Exposes Police Sympathy for Killer as Teen Begged for Help [WATCH]
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Video From UK Murder Scene Exposes Police Sympathy for Killer as Teen Begged for Help [WATCH]

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Body camera footage released by authorities in the United Kingdom has renewed scrutiny of police actions surrounding the December 2025 death of 18-year-old Henry Nowak in Southampton, as reported by PJ Media.

The footage was released after Vickrum Digwa was sentenced Monday to life in prison with a minimum term of 21 years for the killing of the British-Polish teenager.

The case drew significant attention after questions emerged about how officers handled the scene and whether they properly responded to Nowak’s repeated statements that he had been stabbed.

According to court proceedings, Digwa used a Sikh ceremonial knife during the fatal encounter. Authorities later convicted him of murder, resulting in the life sentence announced this week.

The newly released body camera footage captures the moments after officers arrived at the scene. In the video, Nowak can be heard telling officers, “I’ve been stabbed.”

One officer responds, “You’ve been stabbed? Whereabouts?”

The footage shows officers interacting with both Nowak and Digwa while attempting to assess the situation. During the encounter, Digwa accused Nowak of racism, an allegation that was later challenged by Nowak’s family.

The video also shows Nowak repeatedly struggling to breathe while officers questioned him. According to statements made by his family, officers initially treated him as a suspect rather than a victim.

The release of the footage comes after months of calls from Nowak’s relatives for greater transparency regarding the incident.

Following Digwa’s sentencing, Henry Nowak’s father delivered a public statement describing the events that led to his son’s death and criticizing the response from law enforcement.

“Henry was walking home from a night out with his university football teammates when he encountered Vickrum Digwa, a man openly carrying a large knife on the streets of Britain,” Mr. Nowak said.

“That knife was used to take Henry’s life. He should have been safe walking home…. Henry had been stabbed multiple times. And as his chest filled with blood, he tried to escape. He was chased, abused, and filmed by Vickrum Digwa and others.”

Mr. Nowak said his son repeatedly informed officers about his condition after they arrived.

“When police arrived, Henry was lying on the floor, barely able to sit up and plainly in severe medical distress. With his final words, he told officers that he could not breathe. He told them he had been stabbed. In fact, Henry told officers that he could not breathe nine times. He told them he had been stabbed four times. The response from one officer was, ‘I don’t think you have, mate.’”

According to Mr. Nowak, both his son and a member of the public informed authorities that a stabbing had occurred.

“The police were told by our son himself, and by a member of the public, who called 999, that they heard someone shout that they had been stabbed,” he said.

“But the police did not believe them. Henry was pulled across the gravel, his hands forced behind his back, and he was placed in handcuffs. Instead of being treated as a dying victim, police formally arrested Henry for assault and read him his rights. That was the last thing he heard. Henry did not die with dignity. He did not die with the care he deserved. He lost consciousness before anyone believed him.”

Mr. Nowak said he believes Digwa alone was responsible for his son’s death, but sharply criticized the way officers handled the scene.

“The way [Henry] was treated was inhumane and degrading. His murderer, however, was afforded decency,” he said.

“He was believed. He was not handcuffed when arrested. He was not handcuffed when transported to the police station. As far as we understand, he was never handcuffed at all. And as Vickrum Digwa himself told the court, whilst under arrest for Henry’s murder, police even took him to the kitchen so he could choose his food. The contrast is unbearable.”

Authorities previously stated that officers were dealing with a complex crime scene and that the initial information provided at the scene affected their response. The release of the body camera footage, however, has intensified public debate over how the incident was handled and whether changes are needed to police procedures in similar situations.

President Trump Unleashes Major Crackdown on Cartel Money Networks Used to Fuel Illegal Immigration [WATCH]
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President Trump Unleashes Major Crackdown on Cartel Money Networks Used to Fuel Illegal Immigration [WATCH]

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President Donald Trump is highlighting a May 19 executive order aimed at cutting off financial access used to support illegal immigration, cartel activity, human smuggling, drug trafficking, and financial fraud, as reported by Red State.

Trump promoted the order on Tuesday on Truth Social, describing it as part of his administration’s broader effort to combat illegal immigration and recover money he says has been taken from American taxpayers.

The order, titled “Restoring Integrity to America’s Financial System,” directs the Treasury Department and federal regulators to review banking, lending, and customer-identification rules that the administration says have been exploited by illegal immigrants, money launderers, human traffickers, cartels, and other criminal actors.

“Illegal Immigrants and Foreign Fraudsters steal BILLIONS every year from the American Taxpayer. As part of my Administration’s Historic effort to end FRAUD and reverse MASS ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION, I recently signed a powerful new Executive Order, which will be led by the Treasury Department, to stop Banks, Credit Cards, and Financial Institutions from being used to facilitate Human Smuggling, Drug Trafficking, Illegal Immigration, and the Criminal Cartels who orchestrate these activities. Access to our Nation’s Financial Systems must be limited to those who have a Legal Right to be here, and who are engaged in Lawful and Legitimate Commerce. Bank Accounts being used to enable Illegal Immigration, or to store the Welfare received by Illegal Aliens, will be shut down, and funds will ultimately face Impoundment and Seizure so they can to be returned to Taxpayers. It is not ludicrous, but profoundly dangerous, that any Illegal Alien can simply present a Blue State Drivers License, or Biden Border Document, and have unrestricted access to the U.S. Financial System. This also sends a clear message to the anti-ICE rioters that your violent disruptions are only strengthening our resolve. My Executive Order will also allow us to stop Billions in leaving our Country in all manner of criminal activity. It has been said this measure we are taking is the most effective means of reversing Biden’s Border Invasion. We shall soon find out!” Trump wrote.

The order instructs Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to issue guidance identifying suspicious financial patterns connected to payroll-tax evasion, labor trafficking, shell-company activity, off-the-books wage payments, and the use of Individual Taxpayer Identification Numbers to obtain financial services without verified legal presence.

Treasury is also directed to work with federal banking regulators on proposed changes to Bank Secrecy Act regulations. Those changes would strengthen customer due diligence requirements and give financial institutions broader authority to obtain additional information when reviewing fraud, money laundering, sanctions evasion, and other illicit-finance risks.

Under current practice, immigration status is generally not part of routine underwriting decisions for most consumer loans. The Trump administration is signaling that banks and lenders should give more attention to whether an applicant’s immigration status creates repayment risks or broader compliance concerns.

One of the most contested portions of the order directs the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to consider clarifying that potential deportation and resulting wage loss may be factors lenders can consider when evaluating whether a borrower can repay a loan.

That marks a shift from the Biden era. Earlier this year, the CFPB and Department of Justice withdrew Biden-era guidance that discouraged the use of immigration status in certain lending decisions.

Legal analysts at Mayer Brown, a global law firm focused on financial regulation, have noted that the directive could eventually require banks to consider immigration status as part of customer due diligence and underwriting reviews, depending on how regulators implement the order.

A White House fact sheet accompanying the executive order cites Chinese money-laundering networks that have used U.S.-based accounts to move illicit funds. It also points to financial activity linked to Mexican cartels involved in fentanyl trafficking and human smuggling.

The administration argues that existing identification and verification standards have created openings that criminal organizations have learned to use.

Opponents on the left are already objecting. The National Consumer Law Center warned the order would “radically destabilize the U.S. financial system and force debanking on an unprecedented scale.”

Deputy director Diane Thompson said the measure would “weaponize the financial system against immigrants” and accused the administration of pushing people to “put their money under the mattress instead of in the bank.”

Senior attorney Carla Sanchez-Adams called the order “misguided and cruel,” arguing it would “systematically debank millions of people based on suspicion and stereotypes.”

The order gives Treasury 60 days to issue its advisory and 90 days to begin proposing regulatory changes. After that, federal regulators will be responsible for advancing the process, with Congress potentially becoming involved later.

Trump’s latest move shifts the immigration fight from border enforcement alone to the financial systems that may be used to support illegal immigration and the criminal enterprises tied to it.

Spencer Pratt Says Karen Bass Better Get Ready for November Battle: “She Knows It’s On” [WATCH]
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Spencer Pratt Says Karen Bass Better Get Ready for November Battle: “She Knows It’s On” [WATCH]

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Spencer Pratt is already turning his attention toward a possible November runoff election after early results from Tuesday’s Los Angeles mayoral primary showed him in second place behind incumbent Mayor Karen Bass, as reported by The New York Post.

As ballots continued to be counted, Pratt expressed confidence that he would advance to a head-to-head contest with Bass later this year. Speaking with reporters Tuesday night, the television personality and mayoral candidate said he was eager for the challenge.

“She knows it’s on. I hope she’s ready,” Pratt said. “I literally could not be more excited.”

Spencer Pratt Roasts LA Elites With Epic City Hall Billboard Blitz

Pratt added, “I am ready for whatever God puts in front of me.”

While election officials had not finalized the results, Bass maintained the lead as returns continued to come in. Pratt remained ahead of City Councilmember Nithya Raman, who was running in third place. Political observers increasingly viewed a Bass-Pratt runoff as the most likely outcome.

Pratt said he entered election night prepared for any scenario and would have accepted the outcome regardless of where he finished in the race.

“I was going to be happy if I wasn’t moving forward, but now I feel very confident,” he said.

With a potential runoff still months away, Pratt said he plans to spend the coming months focusing on staffing and building an administration capable of governing Los Angeles.

“We have five months to put the best team the city could ever dream of,” Pratt said.

He also suggested that additional supporters may become more willing to publicly join his campaign as the race moves forward.

“We do have that team. We’ll see who is ready to come forward because retaliation is a real thing with Bass,” Pratt said.

According to Pratt, the next phase of the campaign will provide an opportunity to highlight support from voters across the political spectrum.

“I think the next five months I’m going to have time to build out this team to show the level of Democratic supporters I have behind me,” he said.

Throughout the evening, Pratt argued that his campaign has connected with voters because he presents himself as an outsider rather than a traditional politician. He said residents have responded positively to his approach and message.

“At the end of the day, what’s been resonating is that people just want the truth and they want to know somebody’s heart,” Pratt said.

“I try to be as true to my authentic self, and I just believe a lot of Los Angeles is so excited to hear from a non-politician.”

Pratt also said many voters are searching for leadership that they believe will actively advocate for local communities.

“They want somebody to speak the truth for their communities and fight for them,” he said. “They want a fighter that’s going to step up when the city fails them or their elected leaders fail them and I’m ready to be that person for Los Angeles.”

As questions continued about whether his campaign was a serious bid for office or a celebrity-driven effort, Pratt pushed back on the criticism.

“I’m going to prove to everybody this is for real and I’m ready to run this city,” he said.

Pratt also thanked supporters who have backed his campaign and promoted his candidacy online.

“Thank you for everybody who fights for me in the comments section, people all over the United States who used to live in LA,” Pratt said.

Before concluding his remarks, Pratt took aim at Raman, who remained in third place and had not conceded on Tuesday night.

“The Communist already lost,” Pratt said.

Looking ahead, Pratt said he is prepared for an extended campaign and repeatedly challenged Bass to public debates before November.

“We can do debates every Friday if she’d like,” Pratt said. “As many debates as Mayor Bass would like.”

Ending the evening on the same note he began it, Pratt again directed a message toward the incumbent mayor.

“She knows it’s on. I hope she’s ready.”

Iran Unleashes Explosive Barrage Targeting U.S. Bases Across the Middle East [WATCH]
News

Iran Unleashes Explosive Barrage Targeting U.S. Bases Across the Middle East [WATCH]

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Iran launched a large-scale missile attack Tuesday against U.S. military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, and Iraq, marking a significant escalation in tensions between Tehran and Washington, as reported by Townhall.

Reports throughout the region indicated that air defense systems were activated as incoming Iranian missiles approached military sites hosting American forces. Explosions were reported in areas near U.S. bases as defensive systems attempted to intercept the incoming threats.

As of Tuesday evening, it remained unclear whether any Iranian missiles successfully struck their intended targets.

Social media reports from journalists and military observers indicated explosions were reported in Erbil, Iraq, as well as Bahrain and Kuwait.

One report stated, “ BREAKING: EXPLOSIONS reported in Erbil, Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait. Significant air defense activity ongoing. IRGC says they’re targeting US bases.”

Additional reports indicated Iran had launched strikes against northern Iraq, specifically targeting areas near Erbil. If confirmed, the attacks would represent coordinated Iranian operations against locations in Iraq, Bahrain, and Kuwait during a single military action.

Images and videos circulating online appeared to show debris from intercepted missiles falling in Kuwait following attacks directed at Ali Al Salem Air Base, a facility that hosts U.S. military personnel.

Following the attacks, the General Staff of the Kuwaiti Armed Forces issued public warnings urging residents to avoid any missile debris or unidentified objects that may have fallen during interception efforts.

According to military statements, Kuwaiti forces were actively responding to what officials described as “hostile missile and drone threats.”

The strikes came after U.S. military operations targeting Iranian assets on Qeshm Island. According to the Iranian Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC), the missile attacks were launched in retaliation for what Tehran described as American aggression.

In a statement released after the attacks, the IRGC announced ballistic missile strikes against U.S. bases in Kuwait and characterized the operation as a response to American military actions on Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf.

The IRGC said the attacks were retaliation for the “arrogance and blatant aggression committed by the terrorist American forces.”

Iranian officials also issued additional threats directed at the United States. According to reports, Tehran warned that “any new foolishness” undertaken by American forces would result in a “crushing and decisive response.”

The IRGC further declared that it “would not hesitate to reduce all the aggressors’ and interests in the region to ashes.”

The missile barrage represents one of the most significant direct attacks by Iran against facilities associated with U.S. forces during the current conflict.

Despite Iran’s latest offensive, reports indicate the broader conflict has taken a substantial toll on Iranian leadership and military infrastructure. According to available information, the conflict has resulted in 13 U.S. fatalities while Iranian military capabilities and portions of its leadership structure have suffered major losses.

The latest round of attacks is expected to complicate ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at ending hostilities. President Donald Trump has previously indicated that negotiations toward a peace agreement were nearing completion.

With Iran now launching coordinated missile strikes against multiple countries hosting American military personnel, questions remain about how the latest escalation could affect both regional stability and the future of negotiations between Washington and Tehran.

Military officials in the region continue to assess the extent of the attacks while monitoring for any additional Iranian military activity.


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