Author name: Robert Walsh

Markwayne Mullin Goes All The Way Off on Dems’ Ridiculous Protection of Narco-Terrorists
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Markwayne Mullin Goes All The Way Off on Dems’ Ridiculous Protection of Narco-Terrorists

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Sen. Markwayne Mullin forcefully defended the use of U.S. military power against drug cartels, arguing that the current controversy ignores years of precedent and understates the scale of violence cartels have inflicted on Americans.

Mullin’s remarks came amid debate over whether the United States should treat powerful drug cartels operating in the Western Hemisphere as terrorist organizations and whether the president has the authority to act militarily against them.

Mullin compared the current backlash to the relative lack of outrage during prior administrations, particularly under former President Barack Obama.

“ridiculous that we’re having this conversation,” Mullin said.

“Because underneath Obama, he had 500 strikes. 3700 different individuals were killed. There wasn’t a big show about this.”

Mullin said critics are focusing on geography rather than substance, arguing that drug cartels meet the same criteria as terrorist organizations the United States has targeted overseas for decades.

“What you guys are all upset about is the hemisphere that’s working in the hemisphere is these are drug terrorist organizations,” Mullin said.

“The same people that Obama went after, some people we’ve been over for the last 24 years were terrorist organizations that were wanting to kill Americans.”

According to Mullin, drug cartels have been operating for decades and are directly responsible for widespread death and destruction inside the United States.

He said the scale of the harm they have caused surpasses historic military conflicts when measured by American lives lost domestically.

“There has been more Americans killed because these terrorist cartels drugging our streets, drugging every one of your all streets, everyone of your all’s towns, everyone that audiences towns, we killed,” Mullin said.

“They killed more people in 2024 on our streets than we lost in the entire Vietnam War. For us personnel.”

Mullin emphasized that the threat posed by cartels is not theoretical or distant, but immediate and ongoing, pointing to the flow of drugs into communities across the country.

He described cartels as organized terrorist entities whose activities directly target Americans through violence and narcotics trafficking.

“these are terrorist organizations that are poison our streets,” Mullin said.

He rejected the argument that proximity to the United States should limit the government’s response, insisting that the president already has the constitutional authority to act against such groups.

“The President has the authority to do so,” Mullin said.

“The argument is, is it’s too close to our shores.”

Mullin pressed critics to explain why similar actions were accepted when carried out overseas but are questioned when the targets operate closer to home.

“Does anybody doubt that these are terrorist organizations?” he asked.

“Does anybody have a question about these being terrorist organizations?”

He framed the debate as one of consistency, questioning why the United States would draw a distinction between terrorist groups based on location rather than threat.

“So what’s the difference between Obama attacking these individuals when they were deemed terrorist organizations in the Middle East, versus the ones that are here right now poison our streets,” Mullin said. “That’s what the whole conversation about.”

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‘Truckloads’ of 2020 Election Rigging Proof is Coming Out: Trump
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‘Truckloads’ of 2020 Election Rigging Proof is Coming Out: Trump

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Donald Trump said his administration is preparing to release what he described as extensive evidence showing the 2020 election was rigged, with a particular focus on California and New York.

Trump said the material would be released publicly and described it as substantial.

“That’s all. They’re good at cheating in elections, very good at cheating. They’re professionals at cheating. Because we won in 2016 by a lot. The election was rigged. In 2020 we have all the ammunition, all the stuff, and you’ll see it come out. It’s coming out in truckloads,” Trump said.

Trump said California stood out as the most problematic state, followed by New York.

He said the election system in California was fundamentally illegitimate and claimed the outcome did not reflect the will of voters.

“And California’s election New York also. But California, more than any other place, is so rigged. It’s such a rigged election,” Trump said.

Trump said claims that Republicans could not win California were contradicted by his performance among Hispanic voters.

He said he carried the Hispanic vote in key areas, including Miami and communities along the Texas border.

“You know, we won the Hispanic vote. So a lot of people say Republican wouldn’t win California, but I won the Hispanic vote. I won in Miami. Think of that. In Miami, I won the Hispanic vote along the Texas border. I won every single city or town touching the Texas border, and they’re 85 to 90% Hispanic,” Trump said.

Trump said that if voting in California had been legitimate, the state would have been winnable for Republicans.

He tied his claim directly to the use of mail-in ballots.

“We won the Hispanic vote if the vote in California was legitimate, which is not their 38 million ballots. Everything is mail in voting. They mail out 38 million ballots, and they come in. Where the hell do they go, and whether they come from it’s a rigged election in California, because we would win California by a lot,” Trump said.

Trump said Democrats continued to believe they maintained an advantage with Hispanic voters despite his claims of strong support in those communities.

“And again, they still feel they have the advantage with Hispanic they don’t,” Trump said.

Trump characterized the alleged election misconduct as deliberate and said the forthcoming material would support his claims regarding the legitimacy of the 2020 election results.

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CNN Exposes How Epstein Leaned on an Obama Insider to Manage His Image
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CNN Exposes How Epstein Leaned on an Obama Insider to Manage His Image

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A CNN report highlighted extensive communications and meetings between Kathy Ruemmler, a former White House counsel to Barack Obama and the current top lawyer at Goldman Sachs, and convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein, revealing a relationship that continued for years after Epstein was registered as a sex offender.

According to the CNN narration, “One of the most powerful people in the Epstein files is somebody you may not have heard of. Her name is Kathy Ruemmler, and she is one of the people who communicated with Jeffrey Epstein the most, according to emails released last month from Epstein’s estate by House investigators.”

The segment noted Ruemmler’s prominence and professional standing, stating that she is “a former White House counsel to Barack Obama and now top lawyer at one of the world’s most powerful banks, Goldman Sachs.”

CNN reported that records show “before she joined the bank, they exchanged more than 100 emails, and Epstein’s schedule lists them having more than 50 planned meetings between 2014 and 2019 long after he was a registered sex offender.”

The narration described the nature of their relationship, saying that “across the many messages, Ruemmler emerges as a confidant and friend to Epstein, and he turned to her for help for managing his public reputation after he was convicted of soliciting prostitution from a minor.”

The report cited a specific example, explaining that “in 120 19 message, for example, Epstein wrote that Ruemmler helped him craft a statement in response to a forthcoming Washington Post editorial that was calling on Congress to investigate him.”

Epstein allegedly referred to that effort as the “Ruemmler proposal.”

According to CNN, “The statement defended Epstein and denied that he ever received a sweetheart deal. This is what Kathy suggests we tell Washington Post, Epstein said.”

CNN reported that Ruemmler denied formally representing Epstein.

“While Ruemmler told CNN that she did not represent Epstein and was not compensated by him, she did not directly answer whether she ever crafted PR statements for him or advised him on media strategy,” the narrator said.

The report added that “Ruemmler said she had no knowledge of any new or ongoing unlawful activity by Epstein.”

The segment also referenced an email exchange from June 2018.

“In an email to Epstein in June 2018 Ruemmler dismissed a daily B story about allegations against him, describing it as a quote novella of rehash crap,” the narration said.

CNN noted that Ruemmler later clarified her comment, saying she was referring to the article itself and not the allegations.

CNN quoted Ruemmler directly, stating that she said, “I have deep sympathy for anyone victimized by Epstein, and as I have said many times, I regret ever knowing him.”

Despite those statements, the report described correspondence that appeared to extend beyond purely professional matters.

“But at the time, Ruemmler’s correspondence with Epstein often appeared to go beyond professional matters,” the narrator said.

“They gossiped about current events, arranged celebrity lunches and dinners. Epstein even appears to have coordinated some of her personal beauty appointments.”

In her statement to CNN, Ruemmler characterized Epstein differently. According to the narration, “Ruemmler referred to Epstein as a business referral source, and said she knew him in a quote, professional capacity when she worked in private practice.”

CNN quoted her saying, “I did not travel with him, go out to dinner with him, or spend time with him one on one, except in a professional setting.”

The report also noted Ruemmler’s claim that Epstein’s records may not be reliable.

“As has been well established, Epstein’s calendars and schedules often do not reflect reality,” the narrator said.

CNN concluded by contrasting Ruemmler’s situation with that of other Epstein associates.

“What’s so interesting about Ruemmler is that unlike other Epstein associates like Larry Summers or Prince Andrew, who have paid a steep price for their association with Epstein, Ruemmler has managed to fly under the radar,” the narrator said.

“She remains at Goldman Sachs, which so far has chosen to stand by her.”

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Tim Pool Calls Out Candace Owens Over Her Unhinged Charlie Kirk Comments
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Tim Pool Calls Out Candace Owens Over Her Unhinged Charlie Kirk Comments

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Commentator Tim Pool criticized Candace Owens over what he described as her handling of the murder of Charlie Kirk, accusing her of turning a tragedy into a sensationalized political spectacle and attacking those closest to Kirk.

Pool said the killing of Kirk was already devastating to the conservative movement and argued that Owens’ actions have compounded that damage.

“And the most damaging thing done, of course, was the murder of Charlie Kirk,” Pool said.

“And now the second most damaging thing we’re looking at is Candace Owens, burning down everything he built, and now having the gall to go after his grieving widow and his children, indirectly threatening their livelihoods.”

Pool said Owens crossed a line by targeting the organization Kirk built and the people closest to him.

“What Charlie built, it’s a bridge too far,” Pool said.

He accused Owens of making increasingly extreme statements, adding, “She’s said many things that were increasingly, let’s just call it, unhinged.”

According to Pool, Owens escalated her rhetoric by encouraging supporters to withdraw financial backing from Turning Point USA.

“And then finally, one day, she said, pull your donations from this God forsaken organization, with a direct implication in her post, saying that Charlie Kirk was betrayed by turning point, USA,” Pool said.

He pointed to claims Owens made about Kirk’s inner circle, stating that she went as far as “even saying in one clip that his friends would have had to have signed off on his murder.”

Pool said Owens’ behavior reflects a willingness to go to any length to advance her own career.

“It seems like there is no depth too deep and no bridge too far for her to benefit her career and her show,” he said.

“She would even go after those who love Charlie the most.”

While Pool said questioning official narratives can be legitimate, he argued Owens went far beyond reasonable skepticism.

“And I have no problem with people questioning the official government narrative or what the FBI thinks,” Pool said.

He then criticized specific claims she made, saying, “But claiming there’s Egyptian planes flying around in Utah time, which he was incorrect about, claiming that these planes are landing at airports, or black SUVs are pulling into federal buildings, where it just so happens her lawyers also work. It is just come to the realm of nonsense.”

Pool also took issue with claims Owens made about the military.

“The US military, she claims is now involved in his murder,” he said.

He argued that Owens has reframed a real tragedy into entertainment.

“She has turned the very tragic murder of Charlie Kirk, and she has turned this political movement into a reality drama, true crime show where she treats us all like characters in a fictional show,” Pool said.

Pool concluded that the situation has gone beyond acceptable debate.

“And, you know, I think it’s it’s just gone too far,” he said.

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Seattle’s World Cup ‘Pride Match’ to Feature Two Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal
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Seattle’s World Cup ‘Pride Match’ to Feature Two Countries Where Homosexuality is Illegal

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Seattle will host a World Cup Group G match between Iran and Egypt on June 26 at Lumen Field, a date that coincides with the city’s annual pride weekend.

The event has been designated as the World Cup “Pride Match,” despite both participating countries maintaining laws that make homosexuality illegal.

The match falls on a Friday and is one of several World Cup fixtures scheduled for the city in 2026.

According to officials involved in organizing the event, the Pride Match was planned before the teams were selected and before Friday’s 2026 World Cup Draw in Washington, D.C.

A spokesperson for the Pride Match Advisory Committee told Outsports, “The Pride Match has been scheduled to celebrate and elevate Pride events in Seattle and across the country, and it was planned well in advance.”

The spokesperson said, “It is a Host City–led expression of Seattle and Washington State’s commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment where everyone belongs: players, fans, residents, and visitors alike. Soccer has a unique power to unite people across borders, cultures and beliefs. We are honored to host a Pride Match and to celebrate Pride as part of a global football community. This match reflects our ongoing commitment to respect, dignity, and unity for all.”

Seattle is one of the U.S. host cities for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Earlier this year, the local organizing committee announced a Pride Match design contest, inviting Washington State artists “with credibility in authentically representing the LGBTQ+ community” to submit artwork for consideration.

The contest was announced over the summer as part of the city’s broader preparation efforts for the tournament.

On the Seattle World Cup website, the organizing committee issued a disclaimer stating that “the Pride Match design is an independent creation specifically for the Seattle FWC26 LOC and is not an official FIFA asset. It is not affiliated with or endorsed by FIFA.”

The committee announced last month that three finalists had been selected for their original Pride Match designs.

Lumen Field will host six World Cup events in total, including the U.S. Men’s National Team’s second group stage match on June 19.

The Pride Match will take place one week later, during a period marked by local and national pride celebrations.

The anniversary of the Stonewall Uprising is June 28, commemorating the date when New York City police raided the Stonewall Inn in Greenwich Village.

The World Cup has previously been the focus of international scrutiny over LGBTQ+ rights.

During the 2022 tournament in Qatar, issues arose regarding local restrictions on expression.

Homosexuality in Qatar is illegal and carries a penalty of up to three years in prison. FIFA announced that players who wore “OneLove” armbands in support of the LGBTQ+ community would receive yellow cards, and security personnel acted against rainbow banners and other pride-related symbols inside stadiums.

American journalist Grant Wahl tweeted during the 2022 tournament that he was prevented from entering the stadium for the United States–Wales match because of his shirt, which featured a soccer ball surrounded by a rainbow.

Wahl later died of an ascending aortic aneurysm while covering the World Cup.

His brother, Eric Wahl, who is a member of the Seattle Pride Match Advisory Committee and identifies as an out gay man, commented on the upcoming Iran–Egypt match.

He said he believes the event “is a good thing” because “all are welcome to to be themselves in Seattle.”

Fired Up Alina Habba Makes Announcement About Her Future After Legal Tug of War
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Fired Up Alina Habba Makes Announcement About Her Future After Legal Tug of War

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Alina Habba announced Monday that she is stepping away from her position as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey following a series of court rulings that challenged the legality of her service.

Habba, who previously served as President Donald Trump’s personal attorney, said she was voluntarily leaving the post after months of legal uncertainty surrounding her nomination and interim appointment.

In her statement, she wrote, “Do not mistake compliance for surrender.”

Habba’s withdrawal followed the most recent decision from a three-judge panel on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Third Circuit.

The panel ruled that allowing her to continue serving without Senate confirmation would “effectively [permit] anyone to fill the U.S. Attorney role indefinitely,” adding that “this should raise a red flag.”

The ruling presented a significant barrier to her ability to remain in office.

President Trump’s effort to install Habba as U.S. Attorney for New Jersey has faced repeated legal obstacles since her nomination began moving through the process.

After her initial nomination stalled in the Senate due to the “blue-slip” prerogative exercised by New Jersey’s Democratic senators, Cory Booker and Andy Kim, the administration reassigned her to a position as an assistant to Attorney General Pam Bondi.

The courts later determined that this reassignment was not permissible and could jeopardize the validity of indictments or prosecutions issued under her leadership.

A previous judgment held that the administration’s workaround to keep Habba in place did not comply with statutory requirements.

Each time the appointment returned to the courts, the rulings curtailed the administration’s attempts to maintain her role in the state’s top federal prosecutor position.

Attorney General Bondi issued a statement reacting to the Third Circuit’s ruling and Habba’s subsequent resignation.

Bondi said she believed the decision was “flawed” and added that she was “saddened to accept Alina’s resignation.”

Bondi also described the outcome as “unfortunate,” pointing to crime statistics recorded during Habba’s time in office.

She noted that Newark experienced a 20 percent reduction in crime and reported that the city of Camden had no murders over the summer, a milestone she said had not occurred in 50 years.

With Habba departing from the position, the administration is now preparing for the next phase of litigation.

Bondi stated that the Department of Justice intends to seek “further review” of the Third Circuit’s ruling.

She added that if the decision is reversed, Habba would return to her role as Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey.

For now, Habba will assume a new position within the Department of Justice.

Bondi said Habba will serve as Senior Advisor to the Attorney General for U.S. Attorneys, where she will “help drive the fight against violent crime nationwide.”

Habba indicated her continued commitment to the state where she sought to serve as its chief federal prosecutor.

In a message referencing her ongoing connection to New Jersey, she wrote, “You can take the girl out of New Jersey, but you cannot take the New Jersey out of the girl.”

Hot Mic Catches Trump Fuming Over Blue Slip Obstruction By Senate
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Hot Mic Catches Trump Fuming Over Blue Slip Obstruction By Senate

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President Trump sharply criticized Senate Republicans on Monday, accusing them of allowing Democratic senators to use the Senate’s “blue slip” tradition to block his nominees for key federal positions, as reported by The Gateway Pundit.

The comments came after his nominee for U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, Alina Habba, stepped down following a ruling by the Third Circuit Court of Appeals.

Trump participated in a roundtable with farmers in the Cabinet Room earlier in the day. Following the meeting, he took questions from reporters, including one about Habba’s resignation.

Hours earlier, Habba announced she would leave the U.S. Attorney post after the Third Circuit upheld her disqualification.

She said she would remain in the Justice Department as Senior Advisor to the Attorney General for U.S. Attorneys. Attorney General Pam Bondi is expected to seek further review of the Third Circuit’s ruling.

During the press availability, Trump said Habba was not disqualified and instead blamed the Senate’s blue slip process for obstructing his nominees.

The blue slip custom allows home-state senators to approve or oppose nominees to federal judgeships and U.S. Attorney positions.

“Well, she’s not disqualified. You got a ‘blue slip’ thing that is horrible… it makes it impossible to appoint a judge or a U.S. Attorney – and it’s a shame – and the Republicans should be ashamed of themselves that they allow this to go on,” Trump said.

Trump argued that Democratic senators have used the tradition to block nominees regardless of qualifications.

He added, “If I put up George Washington and Abraham Lincoln to be U.S. Attorney in New Jersey or to be U.S. Attorney… or in Virginia, where you have Democrat Senators, they will not approve them! And this gentlemen’s agreement that has lasted too long. It means you can’t appoint a Republican U.S. Attorney!”

He continued, “And we don’t play the same game with them, but they do!”

Trump singled out Senator Chuck Grassley’s role in maintaining the custom.

“All because Senator Grassley with his ‘blue slip’ stuff will not let anybody go by! And by the way, the Democrats have violated blue slip provision on numerous occasions,” he said.

After reporters left the room, a hot microphone captured Trump continuing his frustration over the issue.

“You know I can’t appoint anybody!” he said. “Everybody I’ve appointed, their time has expired! Then they’re in default, then we’re losing…”

The resignation, ruling, and political fallout come as several of Trump’s nominations face delays, with the blue slip practice at the center of the dispute.

Habba will continue working within the Justice Department while the administration weighs next steps regarding the New Jersey position.

Notes, Ammunition, and Hand-Drawn Maps Detailed in Hearing for Accused Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO
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Notes, Ammunition, and Hand-Drawn Maps Detailed in Hearing for Accused Killer of UnitedHealthcare CEO

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A Pennsylvania police officer testified Monday that bullets wrapped in damp underwear were discovered inside the backpack of Luigi Mangione, the man accused of fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson on a Midtown Manhattan street last year, as reported by the New York Post.

The testimony came during an evidence suppression hearing in Manhattan Supreme Court, where prosecutors also revealed handwritten notes and checklists allegedly recovered from Mangione’s belongings.

Officer Christy Wasser of the Altoona Police Department testified that she opened a pair of gray Hanes underwear found in Mangione’s bag following his Dec. 9, 2024, arrest at a McDonald’s in Altoona.

“When I opened it up, it was a magazine,” Wasser said, adding that the magazine was fully loaded. Body camera footage played in court captured another officer reacting to the discovery, saying, “Damn dude, it’s f–king him – 100%.”

Mangione, 27, was taken into custody five days after Thompson’s killing. Authorities also conducted a second search of his belongings at the police station, where additional items were documented.

Manhattan Assistant District Attorney Joel Seidemann said investigators recovered handwritten notes that included a reminder to “pluck eyebrows” and listed several cities in Ohio, including Columbus, Cleveland, and Cincinnati. Photos released by prosecutors showed tweezers among the contents of the backpack.

Prosecutors also presented a hand-drawn map of Pittsburgh, approximately 100 miles from Altoona, that showed possible escape routes.

Another note, styled as a checklist, included the instructions “Check Pittsburg redeyes,” “keep momentum,” and “FBI slower overnight.”

The gun allegedly used to kill Thompson, a silencer, and a red notebook described as Mangione’s manifesto were also recovered, according to testimony.

A photo of the notebook was displayed in court during the fourth day of the pre-trial hearing.

The defense is seeking to block several pieces of evidence, including the firearm, arguing that the Altoona officers did not have a warrant when they discovered the materials.

Prosecutors maintain the searches were lawful.

Wasser, a 19-year police veteran, testified she checked the bag because she did not want to “pull a Moser,” referencing an incident involving a former officer who unknowingly transported a bomb back to the station.

She said she routinely searches the bags of individuals placed under arrest.

Authorities testified that some evidence—such as a hoagie and a laptop—was placed into a McDonald’s bag before officers transported Mangione to the station.

Additional photos released by prosecutors over the weekend showed a checklist detailing a planned trip to Best Buy with items such as a USB 256 flash drive, digital camera, and light source dated Dec. 8.

The note also included “Hot meal + water bottles,” trash bags, “Intel check in,” and “survival kit” listed under “Future TO DO.”

Prosecutors also displayed items recovered at the time of the arrest, including a small flashlight, a USB drive attached to a silver necklace, a pocket knife, and thousands of dollars in $100 bills.

Mangione also had a bus ticket under the name “Sam Dawson” for travel from Philadelphia to Pittsburgh on Dec. 4, 2024—the same day Thompson was shot. It remains unclear who purchased the ticket.

Mangione appeared in court on Monday after missing Friday’s session due to illness. Before proceedings began, he briefly flashed a fist pump toward the camera while seated at the defense table with his attorney, Karen Friedman Agnifilo.

Mangione has pleaded not guilty in both the Manhattan case and an unrelated federal matter. The hearing is scheduled to resume on Tuesday.

Pete Hegseth Shreds Fake News Washington Post Right to Their Face
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Pete Hegseth Shreds Fake News Washington Post Right to Their Face

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War Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday forcefully rejected allegations reported by the Washington Post that he had ordered U.S. forces to kill all individuals aboard Venezuelan narcotics-trafficking boats targeted in recent kinetic strikes in the Caribbean Sea.

Hegseth addressed the claims during a panel conversation with Fox News Correspondent Lucas Tomlinson at the Reagan National Defense Forum in Simi Valley, California, where he delivered the event’s keynote address.

During the discussion, Tomlinson asked Hegseth whether he had ever instructed U.S. troops to kill everyone on board the boats during counter-drug operations.

Hegseth immediately criticized the report. “Is anybody here from The Washington Post? I don’t know where you get your sources, but they suck. Of course not,” he said.

Tomlinson then asked: “Did you at any time say that everybody on board should be killed?”

Hegseth responded: “Is anybody here from The Washington Post? I don’t know where you get your sources, but they suck. Of course not. Anybody that’s been in the situation room or there’s or has been in the war room there, the Secretary’s office knows you don’t walk in and say, ‘Kill them all!’ It’s just patently ridiculous. It’s meant to create a cartoon of me and the decisions that we make and how we make them. Just ridiculous. The chairman and Admiral Bradley and everybody shot it down immediately because anybody that knows, knows that’s not how things go. There’s a very defined process, specific criteria, go, no, go, yes, no, lawyers, Intel, analysts, everything. And then after that, you simply say, ‘cleared hot’ or not.”

Hegseth also discussed the planning and operational processes behind the strikes, including intelligence verification of targets.

He suggested that, after further internal review, the Defense Department may release the full video of the September 2 strike in which U.S. forces hit the same vessel twice.

That operation has drawn criticism from opponents who claim the incident was unlawful.

The Secretary has faced scrutiny from Democratic lawmakers and various media outlets following the November 29 Washington Post report alleging that he ordered troops to “kill everybody” on board narcotics-trafficking vessels and authorized a second strike against survivors.

Rep. Seth Moulton (D-MA) described the operations as “blatantly illegal,” stating, “Mark my words: It may take some time, but Americans will be prosecuted for this, either as a war crime or outright murder.”

According to the report, anonymous sources claimed that Hegseth had given a verbal order “to kill everybody” during the September 2 strike carried out by U.S. special operations forces against traffickers moving narcotics toward the United States.

Eleven designated narcoterrorists were killed in that operation.

President Donald Trump posted footage from the strike on September 2, saying, “Please let this serve as notice to anybody even thinking about bringing drugs into the United States of America. BEWARE!”

The controversy comes as several Democratic members of Congress call on U.S. service members to refuse orders issued by President Trump and Secretary Hegseth, arguing that the operations are unlawful.

The calls have generated significant reaction among lawmakers, military veterans, and national security experts.

Hegseth responded on Friday to what he termed “fabricated, inflammatory, and derogatory reporting,” stating that the operations comply fully with U.S. and international legal standards.

“Our current operations in the Caribbean are lawful under both U.S. and international law, with all actions in compliance with the law of armed conflict—and approved by the best military and civilian lawyers, up and down the chain of command,” he said.

According to prior reports, U.S. forces have continued the mission and recently conducted the 22nd strike against narcotics-trafficking boats in the region.

Nearly 100 designated foreign terrorist narcotics traffickers have been killed in total during these operations.

Scott Bessent Goes ‘Quiet Assassin’ Mode on CBS’s Margaret Brennan
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Scott Bessent Goes ‘Quiet Assassin’ Mode on CBS’s Margaret Brennan

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Acting IRS Commissioner Scott Bessent said the agency is investigating a major fraud case involving Somalis who allegedly moved billions out of Minnesota through unregulated money transfer networks.

During an exchange with Margaret Brennan, he said the scheme was first uncovered by federal investigators, not state officials, and that the IRS is now tracing where the funds were sent overseas.

Brennan opened the interview by asking about President Trump’s directive.

She said, “The President told you, though this week, to look into Somalis, who, quote, ripped off that state for billions of dollars.

He said they contribute nothing. What exactly are you investigating?”

Bessent responded by emphasizing that the IRS Criminal Investigations Unit initiated the case.

He said, “Well, Margaret, to be clear, the initial fraud that was discovered by the IRS, for which I’m the Acting Commissioner, is discovered by IRS Criminal Investigations Unit. This was not an endogenous thing that the state of Minnesota decided we had to go in and clean up the mess for them, and this is part of the continued cleanup.”

He said investigators have traced large sums of money transferred by individuals connected to the fraud, including donors to prominent Democratic officials.

Bessent explained, “A lot of money has been transferred from the individuals who committed this fraud, including those who donated to the government, Governor, donated to represent Omar and donated to AG Ellison. But they’ve been transferred to something called MBS is and those are…”

Brennan interjected, asking, “Transferred to what?”

Bessent clarified the nature of the financial channels involved.

He said, “These are money the bureau services, and they are wire transfer organizations that are outside the regulated banking system. And that money has gone overseas, and we are tracking that the both to the Middle East and to Somalia to see what the uses of that have been.”

Brennan pressed him on allegations regarding terrorism, saying, “Okay, but you have no evidence of that money being used to fuel terrorism, which is what some conservative writers are alleging.”

Bessent said the investigation is active and ongoing.

He responded, “That’s why it’s an investigation. We started it last week. We’ll see where it goes.” He criticized Representative Ilhan Omar for her public comments, stating, “But I can tell you that, you know, it’s terrible. Representative, Omar tried to downplay it. Said, Oh, it was very the it was very tough to know how this money should, should be used. She was gaslighting the American people.”

Bessent concluded by saying that immigrants must respect American laws, adding, “When you come to this country, you got to learn which side of the road to drive on. You got to learn to stop the stop signs, and you got to learn the not to defraud the American people.”

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