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Welfare Fraud in Newsom’s California is Exponentially Worse Than Walz’s Minnesota: DeMaio
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Welfare Fraud in Newsom’s California is Exponentially Worse Than Walz’s Minnesota: DeMaio

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Carl DeMaio accused California Governor Gavin Newsom of overseeing what he described as widespread and costly welfare fraud, arguing that the scale of the alleged misconduct far exceeds similar issues raised in other states and that national media outlets have largely failed to scrutinize the situation.

In a statement criticizing both state leadership and media coverage, DeMaio contrasted Newsom’s record with allegations previously directed at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

DeMaio said the attention given to Minnesota has not been matched by scrutiny of California, despite what he described as significantly larger financial losses tied to welfare and unemployment programs.

“If you thought that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had a real bad problem with welfare fraud in his state, Gavin Newsom saying, Hold my beer buddy, Newsom’s welfare fraud is exponentially worse than Tim Walz,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio argued that national media outlets have failed to report adequately on what he characterized as a major scandal involving California’s unemployment system.

According to DeMaio, Newsom’s administration allowed tens of billions of dollars in fraudulent payments to be issued, with financial consequences now falling on employers across the state.

“But the liberal media nationally, they’re not paying attention. They’re not holding him accountable. There’s almost no discussion of it,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio stated that California’s unemployment agency issued what he described as $30 billion in fraudulent welfare payments, adding that the financial burden has since been shifted to small businesses.

He said those businesses are now required to absorb the cost through higher payroll taxes.

“Newsome allowed $30 billion in fraudulent welfare payments to be issued by the unemployment agency, and now small businesses in California have to pay off all of that debt through higher payroll taxes,” DeMaio said.

He further claimed that the issue has received little to no sustained national coverage.

“No coverage of that scandal,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio compared the California situation to allegations involving Minnesota, referencing accusations that Walz allowed food stamp fraud connected to Somali organizations.

DeMaio said the figures attributed to Minnesota were far smaller than what he alleged occurred under Newsom’s administration.

“It is much worse than what happened with Tim Walz in Minnesota Waltz is accused of allowing two $50 million of food stamp fraud to occur to Somali organizations, and Newsom is sitting here with multi billion dollars worth of food stamp fraud,” DeMaio said.

He went on to cite what he described as a high rate of fraud within California’s food stamp program, attributing the issue directly to Newsom’s administration.

“His food stamp fraud rate is 13.4% that’s three out of every 20 benefits managed by Newsom’s administration for food stamps completely fraudulent,” DeMaio said.

In addition to allegations of fraud, DeMaio criticized California’s funding of nonprofit organizations, arguing that taxpayer dollars are being directed to groups engaged in political activity.

He contrasted this with the criticism directed at Minnesota, saying California’s approach involves a broader network of organizations receiving public funds.

“And when it comes to funding left wing organizations like the Somali community in Minnesota, California is funding all sorts of left wing NGOs, and a lot of those NGOs are using taxpayer money for politics,” DeMaio said.

DeMaio concluded by again faulting national media outlets for what he described as a lack of coverage and accountability related to the allegations against Newsom.

“Liberal media isn’t covering any of this, but now you know,” DeMaio said.

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Late-Game Brawl Leads to Three Ejections as Eagles Defeat Commanders, Clinch NFC East
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Late-Game Brawl Leads to Three Ejections as Eagles Defeat Commanders, Clinch NFC East

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A heated confrontation late in Saturday night’s game between the Philadelphia Eagles and the Washington Commanders resulted in three players being ejected after an on-field brawl erupted during the fourth quarter.

The altercation occurred with less than five minutes remaining in the game after Eagles running back Saquon Barkley converted a two-point attempt that extended Philadelphia’s lead to 19 points.

Following the play, multiple players from both teams became involved in pushing, shoving, and verbal exchanges that quickly escalated into a wider confrontation.

Washington defensive lineman Javon Kinlaw, Commanders defensive back Quan Martin, and Eagles offensive lineman Tyler Steen were each disqualified after officials assessed unnecessary roughness penalties during the incident.

Referees threw six flags as they worked to separate players and regain control of the situation.

According to the sequence of events on the field, the initial contact following the scoring play led to a cluster of players gathering near the goal line.

What began as routine post-play contact escalated as players continued to engage, prompting officials and teammates to intervene.

The confrontation drew extended attention as officials assessed penalties and conferred on the enforcement of ejections.

Once the situation was de-escalated, order was restored on the field.

Barkley, Eagles quarterback Jalen Hurts, and Commanders linebacker Bobby Wagner were seen speaking with one another as play was set to resume.

No additional players were ejected after the brief discussion, and the game continued without further incident.

The Eagles went on to close out the game with a 29-18 victory over Washington.

The win secured Philadelphia’s second consecutive NFC East division title, marking the first time a team has won back-to-back division championships in the NFC East since the Eagles accomplished the feat during the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

Saturday night’s game carried significant implications for both teams, with Philadelphia entering the contest seeking to clinch the division and Washington attempting to spoil that effort.

The lopsided score late in the fourth quarter contributed to rising tensions, which ultimately boiled over after the two-point conversion.

The ejections of Kinlaw, Martin, and Steen were the most severe penalties handed down during the game and came at a critical juncture as the Commanders attempted to mount a late response.

With Philadelphia already holding a commanding lead, the disqualifications further limited Washington’s ability to generate momentum in the closing minutes.

League officials did not immediately announce whether additional discipline would be reviewed following the game.

Under NFL rules, unnecessary roughness and fighting can result in fines or suspensions if the league determines further violations occurred beyond what was penalized during the game.

Despite the incident, the Eagles’ focus remained on the outcome and its implications.

The victory not only delivered another NFC East title but also reinforced Philadelphia’s position atop the division as the regular season continues.

Washington, meanwhile, was left to regroup after the loss and the late-game disciplinary issues.

The Commanders’ coaching staff and players will review the incident as part of their standard postgame evaluation, particularly given the ejections and the timing of the altercation.

The game concluded without further disruptions, and both teams exited the field after the final whistle following a night that featured both a decisive result and a brief moment of chaos in the closing minutes.

Ohio Cop Nearly Shot at Point-Blank Range by Walmart Shoplifting Suspect
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Ohio Cop Nearly Shot at Point-Blank Range by Walmart Shoplifting Suspect

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A shoplifting detention inside a Walmart in Canton, Ohio, escalated into a life-threatening confrontation Thursday after a suspect allegedly attempted to shoot a police officer at point-blank range but was stopped when the weapon failed to fire and a store security worker intervened, according to authorities and body camera footage.

The incident occurred after police responded to a report of suspected theft involving a man and a woman inside the store.

The two were detained by Walmart staff and escorted to a security room to wait for police, according to reports.

Once inside the room, a Canton police officer began questioning and searching the male suspect, later identified by FOX 8 as 21-year-old Shane Newman.

Body camera video from the officer, which had been placed on a table in the room, initially showed a calm and orderly scene.

A Walmart employee can be seen handing the officer a pen and paper while Newman and the woman sat on a bench.

Moments later, the situation changed abruptly.

According to the bodycam footage, Newman suddenly turned toward the officer, pulled out a firearm, and attempted to shoot him at close range.

As the woman screamed, “No, no, no!” a clicking sound could be heard as Newman appeared to pull the trigger.

The gun did not fire.

The Walmart security worker immediately lunged toward Newman in an effort to restrain him.

Despite that, Newman raised the firearm again and attempted to fire a second time.

Another clicking sound could be heard, indicating the weapon again failed to discharge.

The employee then knocked the gun out of Newman’s hands as the officer drew his own weapon and shouted, “Get back! Get back!”

With the gun dislodged, the officer moved in and was able to pin Newman to the floor while the Walmart worker assisted.

Additional officers arrived shortly afterward, and both suspects were taken into custody.

In the body camera footage, the officer told responding officers that Newman had “pulled the gun out, pointed it at my head and pulled the trigger,” but the weapon malfunctioned and did not fire.

The officer said he drew his own firearm during the struggle but did not shoot because he feared hitting the Walmart employee who was wrestling with Newman to disarm him.

The officer also acknowledged during the footage that he had missed the firearm during his initial search of Newman, noting that the gun had been concealed inside a shoulder bag.

According to the officer, he had just been informed seconds before the attack that Newman had an active warrant for his arrest and was considered “armed and dangerous.”

Court records show Newman has since been charged with attempted murder and felonious assault on a police officer.

The woman detained alongside Newman was identified by FOX 8 as Katerina Jeffrey. She was charged with complicity to commit robbery and having weapons under disability for possession of ammunition.

Prior to the violent confrontation, the bodycam footage captured the officer conducting a routine search and questioning Newman about whether he had anything on him.

Newman told the officer that all he had was a cellphone.

He then voluntarily handed over a small container from his pocket, which investigators said contained illegal drugs, according to FOX 8.

During the same exchange, Jeffrey asked the officer, “Are we going to jail?”

“Not unless something crazy happens,” the officer replied.

Within moments, the situation escalated into the attempted shooting.

Authorities credited the Walmart security employee’s quick action and the firearm’s apparent malfunction with preventing a potentially deadly outcome.

The investigation into the incident remains ongoing.

Tulsi Gabbard Sounds Alarm on Islamist Ideology Targeting the West
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Tulsi Gabbard Sounds Alarm on Islamist Ideology Targeting the West

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Tulsi Gabbard issued a warning about what she described as the growing danger posed by Islamist ideology, saying it fuels global terrorist organizations, threatens Western civilization, and endangers basic freedoms in the United States and abroad.

In a statement addressing national security and ideological threats, Gabbard said Islamist ideology underpins groups responsible for terrorism worldwide and must be confronted directly, both militarily and culturally.

“Talk about this Islamist ideology. Yes, it is the ideology that fuels terrorist groups like Al Qaeda and ISIS and Al Shabaab and Hamas and Boko Haram and others, and they must be defeated militarily as they continue to actively plot and try to attack us,” Gabbard said.

She said those groups present an immediate security threat but argued the broader ideology driving them poses an even greater danger to freedom and democratic governance.

“They are a threat to our security and our safety, but this Islamist ideology is a direct threat to our freedom, because at its core, it is a political ideology that seeks to create a global caliphate that governs us here in America, threatening Western civilization,” she said.

Gabbard said the ideology seeks to impose governance under Sharia law and what its proponents describe as Islamic principles, replacing constitutional freedoms with religious rule enforced through coercion.

“Governance by Sharia law, governance by what they are calling their Islamic principles,” Gabbard said, warning that dissent would not be tolerated.

“If you fail to comply, if you fail to adhere to this ideology, if you dare to exercise your God given right to free speech, censorship is not what we face.”

She said enforcement of the ideology would rely on intimidation and violence rather than debate or lawful means.

“They will use violence or any means they deem as necessary to silence us,” Gabbard said.

Gabbard said failure to clearly identify and confront the ideology would lead the United States down the same path as other Western nations that have seen restrictions on individual freedoms.

“If we don’t take action to identify this threat, to define it, to call it out for what it is, and take action to defeat it, then we will find ourselves in a place where many European countries and countries like Australia have found themselves,” she said.

She cited examples from Europe where individuals have faced legal consequences for peaceful actions.

“Countries where you can get arrested for praying silently on the street corner, as has happened in the UK,” Gabbard said.

She also pointed to cases involving speech restrictions.

“Countries where you can be arrested for putting up a social media post that someone finds offensive somewhere.”

Gabbard said the impact of Islamist ideology is already affecting public life across Europe, including cultural traditions.

“As we approach Christmas. Right now in Germany, they are canceling Christmas markets because of this threat,” she said.

She also warned that efforts to spread and normalize the ideology are occurring within the United States.

“In places like Dearborn, Michigan and Minneapolis, Minnesota, Islamist clerics are openly pushing this Islamist ideology, trying to recruit and radicalize young people,” Gabbard said.

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Mike Benz ‘Absolutely BLOWS THE LID off Epstein’ and Explains His Meteoric Rise
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Mike Benz ‘Absolutely BLOWS THE LID off Epstein’ and Explains His Meteoric Rise

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Mike Benz said the origins of Jeffrey Epstein’s power, wealth, and long-running protection from prosecution can be traced to his early career at Bear Stearns and the bank’s alleged role in handling covert intelligence financing connected to the Bank of Credit and Commerce International (BCCI).

In a detailed statement, Benz argued that Epstein’s work at Bear Stearns in the late 1970s and early 1980s placed him at the center of clandestine financial operations involving U.S. and foreign intelligence agencies, helping explain Epstein’s rapid ascent and his later connections across global intelligence networks.

“It opens correspondent account for the fledgling BCCI Luxembourg, 25 million daily turnover,” Benz said.

“That’s the very year Jeffrey Epstein joined Bear Stearns, right as BCCI is being scaled up by Kamal Adnan, the very counterparty in the Bear Stearns trades specifically to launder Safari Club Petro dollars.”

Benz said Epstein’s work coincided with key figures in intelligence-linked financial operations, including Kamal Adnan, whom he identified as a Saudi intelligence figure involved in the creation of the Safari Club, a joint intelligence arrangement involving the CIA and Saudi intelligence.

“And Jeffrey Epstein was working on the oil deals right in 1980 when he got the fake Saudi passport,” Benz said.

“And Kamal Adam is the Saudi spy master who created the joint CIA Saudi Safari Club.”

Benz pointed to Ace Greenberg, the longtime Bear Stearns executive, as central to Epstein’s rise within the firm and his entry into these transactions.

“Ace Greenberg, hey, that name sounds familiar,” Benz said.

“Ace Greenberg set up the BCCI Luxembourg account to scale up BCCI and the CI Saudi intelligence Safari Club.”

Benz said Greenberg’s relationship with Epstein went beyond routine employment and placed Epstein inside some of Bear Stearns’ most sensitive operations.

“Isn’t this the guy who hired Jeffrey Epstein and set him up with his daughter and made Jeffrey Epstein a made man,” Benz said.

“Jeffrey Epstein is personally green lighting Bear Stearns this activity with the CIA to scale up the CIS proprietary bank.”

According to Benz, Epstein’s involvement with BCCI-linked transactions explains nearly every aspect of his subsequent career.

“Guys, we just broke the entire Jeffrey Epstein story,” Benz said.

“If Ace Greenberg brought Jeffrey Epstein into the BCCI deal, deals at Bear that explains literally everything.”

Benz said Epstein’s meteoric rise inside Bear Stearns, his ability to attract powerful clients, and his early access to intelligence officials all stemmed from this role.

“It explains Jeffrey Epstein’s meteoric rise. It explains how he moved up in the company so quickly,” Benz said.

“It explains how he got all these huge clients so quickly.”

He said Epstein was already meeting with senior intelligence and political figures by the early 1980s.

“It explains how he in 1981 in 1982 he’s already meeting with major CIA mi six, Saudi intelligence officials,” Benz said.

“He’s meeting with Doug Lee, Stan Pottinger, Adnan Khashoggi, Middle Eastern shakes.”

Benz argued that Epstein’s alleged role involved disguising illegal arms sales and covert financing as legitimate financial transactions tied to commodities and oil.

“Here are the lucrative deals you immediately have Jeffrey Epstein handling CIA financing disguising illegal weapon sales as complex financial transactions for commodities or oil,” Benz said.

Benz said this role also explains Epstein’s later legal protection.

“That explains how he was protected every time he got in trouble with fraud,” Benz said.

“The Justice Department takes action against Jeffrey Epstein for securities laws violations. Jeffrey Epstein openly says in court that Bear Stearns was actually secretly moving money for the CIA.”

According to Benz, prosecutors backed off to avoid exposing sensitive operations.

“Well, that can’t come out in open court,” Benz said.

“Okay, let’s not move forward with prosecution. Don’t want to reveal national security secrets.”

Benz connected Epstein’s alleged intelligence role to his ties with British, French, Israeli, Saudi, and U.S. intelligence agencies, citing BCCI’s international reach.

“That explains how Jeffrey Epstein has these French intelligence connection points,” Benz said.

“That explains how he’s got these British intelligence connection points… and that definitely explains how he has all these CIA connection points.”

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Massive Sting Rescues Dozens of Missing Kids From Traffickers in North Florida
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Massive Sting Rescues Dozens of Missing Kids From Traffickers in North Florida

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More than three dozen missing children were recovered from sex traffickers during a large-scale, multi-agency operation in North Florida, federal authorities announced Thursday.

The operation, known as Operation Northern Lights, resulted in the recovery of 43 missing children across 14 counties in North Florida, with additional children located in other states, according to the U.S. Marshals Service.

The effort spanned two weeks and led to the arrest of nine individuals, with additional charges expected.

Federal officials said the youngest victims were one year old.

Authorities confirmed that at least one child had been abducted from Florida and was later found in Louisiana.

“This was the most successful missing child operation ever conducted in Northern Florida,” Greg Leljedal, acting U.S. Marshal for the Northern District of Florida, said.

“Because of the tireless dedication of the U.S. Marshals and our law enforcement partners, 43 endangered children will now be home safe for the holidays.”

Leljedal said the mission extended beyond locating missing children and focused on immediate care for the victims.

“The mission was not only about finding the missing children, but also providing immediate physical and psychological care to help them begin the path to healing,” he said.

Authorities detailed several individual recoveries that occurred during the operation.

One one-year-old child missing from Leon County was found in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

Another one-year-old missing from Okaloosa County was located outside Jackson, Mississippi, along with a 17-year-old.

In that case, a non-custodial adult was arrested on interference with child custody charges.

Other recoveries included a 17-year-old missing from Suwannee County found in Meadville, Mississippi; a 13-year-old missing from Suwannee County located in Jacksonville; and a 15-year-old missing from Okaloosa County found in Ocala.

The U.S. Marshals Service said the scale and coordination of Operation Northern Lights had not previously been undertaken in Northern Florida.

More than 80 personnel from 25 different agencies participated, including law enforcement, social services, prosecutors’ offices, and nonprofit organizations.

All of the children involved were classified as “critically missing,” meaning authorities believed they faced elevated risks of serious harm, including sexual exploitation, violent crime, substance abuse, domestic violence, or exposure to criminal activity.

“Every child deserves to be safe, and we will continue to use every resource at our disposal to bring missing children home and support their families,” Nicholas G. Ingegno, Homeland Security Investigations Assistant Special Agent in Charge, said.

Following their recovery, the children were provided with medical care, food, and access to social services. Child advocates were also assigned to assist with placement and ongoing support.

Derrick Driscoll, chief operating officer of the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, said each recovery represented an opportunity to prevent future harm.

“Each recovery represents a child removed from harm’s way and an opportunity to connect them with resources that can help prevent future victimization,” Driscoll said.

Authorities said the operation was conducted under the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act of 2015, which authorizes the U.S. Marshals Service to assist local and state agencies in missing child investigations.

Since the law was enacted, nearly 4,000 missing children have been located nationwide, representing a 66 percent recovery rate, according to the agency.

Numerous sheriff’s offices across North Florida participated, including those in Leon, Escambia, Santa Rosa, Okaloosa, Walton, Bay, Jackson, Wakulla, Madison, Taylor, Suwannee, Alachua, and Marion counties.

Municipal police departments involved included Tallahassee, Pensacola, and Crestview.

Santa Rosa County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Randy Tifft said some of the cases involved adults targeting vulnerable minors online.

“They coerce a lot of these young kids on online apps to meet up with them,” Tifft told WEAR.

“And a lot of them are kids that are having some troubles in schools or troubles at home.”

State agencies that assisted included the Florida Attorney General’s Office, Department of Law Enforcement, Highway Patrol, Department of Children and Families, and Department of Juvenile Justice. Federal partners included Homeland Security Investigations.

Advocacy groups credited for assisting in the operation included the National Center for Missing & Exploited Children, Called2Rescue, and Shadows of Strength.

“This operation was carried out through a strong partnership between multiple agencies,” Leon County Sheriff Walt McNeil said.

“No child will be left behind.”

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier praised the operation in a post on X, writing, “Our office was honored to partner with U.S. Marshal Greg Leljedal in the Northern District of Florida to rescue 43 missing children, some as young as 18 months old. We will bring the strongest charges possible against those who put these kids in harm’s way.”

NYT Buries the Lede: Admits No Proof Trump Was Involved in Epstein Crimes
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NYT Buries the Lede: Admits No Proof Trump Was Involved in Epstein Crimes

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The New York Times acknowledged in a recent report that there has never been any evidence connecting President Donald Trump to the criminal activities of convicted sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein, despite years of public speculation and repeated claims pushed by Democratic officials.

The article, written by Times reporters Nicholas Confessore and Julie Tate, was based on interviews with “more than 30 former employees of Jeffrey Epstein, victims of his abuse and others who crossed paths with Mr. Epstein and President Trump.”

New York Times Screenshot

The report also cited what it described as “new documents” related to Trump’s past interactions with Epstein.

While much of the article relied on decades-old photographs and quotes from the 1990s to suggest familiarity between Trump and Epstein, the Times ultimately conceded that its review found no evidence tying Trump to Epstein’s abuse or trafficking of minors.

“An examination of their history by The New York Times has found no evidence implicating Mr. Trump in Mr. Epstein’s abuse and trafficking of minors,” the article stated.

The admission comes after months of renewed efforts by Democratic leaders and allied activists to link President Trump to Epstein’s crimes.

Those efforts intensified on Thursday, when party officials circulated a collection of emails, some newly disclosed and others dating back years, to claim Trump had a close personal relationship with Epstein.

Among the materials promoted by Democrats were emails in which Epstein expressed hostility toward Trump.

The Democratic Party’s official X account highlighted a February 8, 2017 email Epstein sent to former Treasury Secretary Larry Summers, who served in the Clinton administration.

In the message, Epstein criticized Trump, writing, “recall I’ve told you… I have met some very bad people… none as bad as Trump. not one decent cell in his body… so yes– dangerous.”

Democrats publicly amplified the email as part of their argument.

“Newly released emails show Jeffrey Epstein thought Trump was one of the worst people he knew, with ‘not one decent cell in his body,’” the Democratic Party posted on X.

“He went on to describe Trump with one word: ‘Dangerous.’”

The post drew criticism online, with numerous users pointing out that Epstein’s stated disdain for Trump directly contradicted claims that the two men were close friends.

Despite that, the Democratic Party’s official account released a video on July 18 asserting that Trump had a “close” relationship with Epstein and describing it as a “secret friendship.”

Democrats also circulated documents in which the name of a prominent Epstein accuser was redacted, using the material to suggest Trump’s involvement in Epstein’s crimes.

The accuser was later identified as Virginia Giuffre, who testified under oath that Trump had no involvement in Epstein’s criminal activity.

Giuffre, who died earlier this year, had publicly stated that Trump was not among those who abused her.

She was also a supporter of President Trump’s 2024 campaign and praised his actions related to Epstein’s prosecution.

Additional reporting has shown that Epstein himself took steps that undermined claims of cooperation with Trump.

In 2019, Epstein actively advised U.S. Delegate Stacey Plaskett of the U.S. Virgin Islands during a congressional hearing that focused on Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg’s case against Trump.

Epstein provided guidance to Plaskett during her questioning of witnesses during the hearing.

Trump severed ties with Epstein years earlier.

Epstein was banned from Trump’s Mar-A-Lago club in Palm Beach, Florida, after inappropriate conduct involving a minor staff member in the early 2000s.

Ghislaine Maxwell, Epstein’s longtime associate and later convicted co-conspirator, has also stated that Trump was not involved in Epstein’s crimes.

The New York Times report, while revisiting past interactions and public speculation, ultimately confirmed that no evidence has ever connected President Trump to Epstein’s abuse or trafficking operation, a conclusion that stands in contrast to repeated claims made by Democratic officials and party organizations in recent months.

Bring Back Privateers to Take On Narco-Terrorist Pirates: Rep Tim Burchett
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Bring Back Privateers to Take On Narco-Terrorist Pirates: Rep Tim Burchett

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Republican lawmakers Tim Burchett and Mike Lee are pushing legislation that would allow private citizens to engage cartel operations in the Caribbean Sea through the use of letters of marque, a constitutional authority that has not been used in more than 200 years.

The proposal was discussed during an exchange on Fox & Friends, where co-host Rachel Campos-Duffy outlined the effort and its growing attention.

“Welcome back to Fox and Friends. Could privateers help take down cartels in the Caribbean Sea? Republican lawmakers Tim Burchett and Mike Lee hope so,” Campos-Duffy said.

“They’re introducing bills to both the House and the Senate respectively. The President would issue a Letter of Marque which lets private citizens act against us enemies and seize property, something that has has not been done for over 200 years, and it’s already gained support from Elon Musk, who says, quote, it would work super well.”

Burchett said the proposal is both constitutional and necessary, arguing that the United States is facing an active threat from cartel organizations.

“Well, first of all, we’re we’re basically under attack and and there’s constitutional consequences,” Burchett said.

“This was done by, I believe, President Jefferson, first the Barbary pilot pirates. It’s in the Constitution. It’s provided for. It just has to get congressional approval, and I think it’s a legitimate way to go after these, these cartels.”

Burchett described cartels as armed combatants operating outside traditional military definitions, creating legal complications for direct military engagement.

“They’re not, they’re they’re, they’re armed combatants, so they’re not necessarily military. So there’s a constitutional question,” he said.

He also argued that congressional involvement in sensitive military actions has created challenges for national security decision-making, citing past criticism from Democrats when President Donald Trump authorized the killing of Iranian General Qasem Soleimani.

“And as soon as you know, I remember back when President Trump took out some Soleimani, I believe it was, is an evil, evil man, and the Democrats in Congress, Pelosi and the rest of them, they were mad that they didn’t get his approval, as if he had to take out this dirt bag,” Burchett said.

Burchett said the letters of marque legislation would give President Trump another option for confronting cartels without deploying U.S. troops.

“And I think it just gives President Trump just another tool in this in his toolbox to go after him,” he said.

He also praised Lee for advancing the proposal in the Senate.

“And and Mike Lee is a superstar man. There’s like outside of Andy Biggs, I think he’s probably my favorite Mormon in Congress,” Burchett said.

Campos-Duffy then asked whether private citizens would realistically participate if the measure became law.

“Absolutely, ma’am,” Burchett responded. He said the bill is not designed to attract unqualified volunteers but highly trained professionals.

“They’re not going to run an added Soldier of Fortune magazine or down here at some at Toddy’s Back Door Tavern in Knoxville,” he said.

“They’ll have privateers that will be former operators. You’ll have seals, special operations people. It’ll be top notch.”

Burchett emphasized that the proposal includes safeguards and structure, including insurance requirements, and would rely on experienced individuals rather than ad hoc forces.

“There’s an insurance provision in this there’s all kinds of things that that are, it’s just not some ragtag thing like you’d see on on some movie somewhere,” he said.

“These are going to be first rate operators.”

He said the approach would allow the United States to confront cartel violence while avoiding extended constitutional disputes and limiting direct military involvement.

“And I think it’s a great way to do it, and it saves all the constitutional back and forth and keeps our military out of it,” Burchett said.

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Vivek Ramaswamy Calls Out Everyone That Doesn’t Have a Place in the Conservative Movement
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Vivek Ramaswamy Calls Out Everyone That Doesn’t Have a Place in the Conservative Movement

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Vivek Ramaswamy said individuals who support specific positions or engage in certain rhetoric should not be considered part of the conservative movement, stating plainly that he will not apologize for drawing clear boundaries.

In a statement outlining his views on the direction of conservatism, Ramaswamy said the movement must exclude people who support policies or express beliefs he described as fundamentally incompatible with its principles.

“If you believe that boys should compete with girls in girls’ sports, I’m sorry you’re not on the team, you have no place in this movement,” Ramaswamy said.

Ramaswamy said he would be explicit even when the positions he criticized are widely debated or controversial, arguing that clarity is necessary for leadership within the movement.

“If you believe, thank you. It’s pretty obvious, but I’m gonna say it anyway,” he said.

He said support for race-based policies in government hiring also disqualifies individuals from being part of the conservative movement.

“If you believe in racial quotas and government hiring, you have no place in the conservative movement,” Ramaswamy said. “Sorry, you’re not on the team. You’re free to believe it. It’s a free country, but you have no place in the conservative movement.”

Ramaswamy also said he rejects any effort to normalize hostility toward ethnic groups, regardless of which group is targeted.

“If you believe in normalizing hatred towards any ethnic group, toward whites, towards blacks, towards Hispanics, towards Jews, towards Indians, you have no place in the future of the conservative movement period,” he said.

He said he would not retreat from those positions or soften his language to avoid criticism.

“And I will not apologize for that. I will not hedge when I say it,” Ramaswamy said.

Ramaswamy also addressed rhetoric that praises or excuses historical figures responsible for mass violence, saying admiration for such figures places individuals outside the conservative movement.

“If you believe and you will forgive me for giving you an exact quote from our online commentator Nick Fuentes, if you believe that Hitler was pretty fucking cool, you have no place in the future of the conservative movement,” he said.

He said debate on foreign policy issues is acceptable but does not extend to endorsing or excusing totalitarian leaders.

“You can debate foreign aid to Israel all you want. That’s fine. That’s fair, but you have no place with that level of hatred,” Ramaswamy said.

“You can debate the right resolution to the Russia Ukraine war, but if you believe Joseph Stalin is someone to look up to, you have no place in the future of the conservative movement.”

Ramaswamy also condemned personal attacks directed at public figures and their families, citing remarks aimed at Vice President J.D. Vance’s wife.

“If you call Usha Vance The Second Lady of the United States of America, a Jeet, you have no place in the future of the conservative movement,” he said.

He concluded by saying that leaders who are unwilling or unable to state these positions clearly should not hold leadership roles within conservatism.

“And if you can’t say those things without stuttering, then you have no place as a leader at any level in the conservative movement either, certainly not in my State of Ohio,” Ramaswamy said.

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Coast Guard Leads New Seizure as Trump Tightens the Noose on Maduro’s Regime
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Coast Guard Leads New Seizure as Trump Tightens the Noose on Maduro’s Regime

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The United States intercepted and seized a vessel in international waters near Venezuela, marking the second such operation in recent weeks as pressure continues to mount on the Maduro regime, according to multiple reports published Saturday.

The U.S. Coast Guard led the interdiction with assistance from other branches of the U.S. military, American officials told CNN.

The operation took place in international waters off Venezuela’s coast and follows a similar seizure conducted earlier this month.

The latest action comes on the heels of a December 10 seizure of a sanctioned oil tanker operating near Venezuelan waters.

It also occurred just days after President Donald Trump announced a sweeping blockade targeting all sanctioned oil tankers traveling to or from Venezuela.

In announcing the blockade on Tuesday, Trump designated the ruling Venezuelan regime as a foreign terrorist organization and accused it of using stolen oil resources to finance criminal activity.

“The illegitimate Maduro Regime is using Oil from these stolen Oil Fields to finance themselves, Drug Terrorism, Human Trafficking, Murder, and Kidnapping,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

“I am ordering A TOTAL AND COMPLETE BLOCKADE OF ALL SANCTIONED OIL TANKERS going into, and out of, Venezuela.”

Following the December 10 seizure, Trump was asked what the United States would do with the confiscated oil.

He responded, “Well, we keep it, I guess.”

The vessel seized this week represents the second confirmed interdiction tied to Trump’s expanded enforcement posture toward Venezuela.

U.S. officials have not publicly released details about the ship’s cargo or ownership, but the operation aligns with the administration’s stated intent to aggressively enforce sanctions against the Maduro government.

The seizures come after months of steadily escalating U.S. military and diplomatic pressure on Venezuela.

American armed forces have increased their presence in the southern Caribbean, particularly in waters off Venezuela’s coast, where they have conducted numerous operations targeting drug smuggling vessels.

That buildup has fueled speculation about a broader confrontation between the United States and Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro, including the possibility of intensified efforts to force him from power.

In late November, Trump reportedly offered Maduro a deal that would have allowed him and his family to leave Venezuela safely in exchange for vacating office.

The offer was not accepted.

The pressure campaign intensified further in August, when the United States announced a $50 million bounty on Maduro, the largest amount ever offered for a sitting head of state.

In his Truth Social post announcing the blockade, Trump warned that U.S. naval forces surrounding Venezuela would continue to expand.

“The Armada surrounding the illegitimate Maduro Regime will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before,” Trump wrote.

He also demanded that the regime “return to the United States of America all of the oil, land, and other assets that they previously stole from us.”

Despite the blockade announcement and recent interdictions, the Maduro government has continued exporting oil.

Reuters reported that on Thursday, Venezuela dispatched two non-sanctioned vessels carrying oil to China.

The continued shipments suggest that while the U.S. blockade is focused on sanctioned tankers, the Maduro regime is still attempting to move oil through vessels not currently subject to U.S. sanctions.

The Biden-era approach to Venezuela, which relied more heavily on limited sanctions relief and diplomatic engagement, has now been fully replaced by Trump’s renewed strategy of economic isolation, maritime enforcement, and direct pressure on the regime’s financial lifelines.

U.S. officials have not indicated whether additional interdictions are imminent, but Trump’s statements and the recent increase in military operations signal that enforcement actions are expected to continue as part of the administration’s broader effort to cut off funding sources for the Maduro regime.


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