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Former Virginia Democrat Finance Chair Busted in FBI Child Porn Case
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Former Virginia Democrat Finance Chair Busted in FBI Child Porn Case

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A former Democratic Party operative in Virginia has been arrested by federal authorities and charged with distributing child pornography following an undercover FBI investigation, according to court records filed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

Randon “Randy” Alexander Sprinkle, 30, was taken into custody after an investigation conducted by the FBI’s Manassas, Virginia, field office. Sprinkle previously held several prominent roles within Democratic political circles in the state.

He served as finance chairman of the Virginia Democratic Party, was a leader in the Young Democrats of Virginia, and worked in 2025 as campaign treasurer for Richmond City Council Vice President Katherine Jordan.

According to a nine-page criminal affidavit filed Friday, Sprinkle was an active user of the social networking application Jack’d, which markets itself as “the premier social app for gay, bi, trans, and queer people” and reports having more than 15 million members.

Court documents state that Sprinkle used the app under the name “Randy.”

The affidavit says Sprinkle initiated contact with an undercover FBI agent, identified in the filing as “OCE,” who was operating in an online undercover capacity.

The initial conversation occurred on Jack’d before moving to the encrypted messaging platform Telegram.

The affidavit includes the following exchange initiated by Sprinkle on Jack’d:

Randy: “Hey how’s it going”
OCE: “What’s up man”
Randy: “Just horny af you, telegram”
OCE: “Let’s go Randy, what’s your Tele”
Randy: “hmudmv9, got a face pic btw”

After the conversation moved to Telegram, federal investigators say Sprinkle expressed sexual interest in minors and transmitted illegal material to the undercover agent.

Based on that exchange, investigators obtained a federal search warrant as part of the investigation.

According to the criminal complaint, FBI agents executed the search warrant on October 16, 2025.

The affidavit states that investigators conducted a forensic examination of Sprinkle’s electronic devices and recovered archived files that federal authorities identified as child pornography.

The affiant wrote that investigators “completed the extraction” of Sprinkle’s computer and located files containing child sexual abuse material.

One of the files, according to the complaint, involved the sexual abuse of an infant by an adult male.

Federal authorities cited the recovered material as meeting the statutory definition of child pornography under federal law.

Following the arrest, several Virginia Democratic officials who had professional or political ties to Sprinkle issued public statements responding to the charges.

Richmond City Council Vice President Katherine Jordan, who employed Sprinkle as campaign treasurer during the 2024 election cycle, released a statement condemning the allegations.

“What has been alleged is disgusting and abhorrent,” Jordan said.

“I’m shocked and sickened.”

First District Richmond City Council member Andrew Breton, who also previously employed Sprinkle for campaign finance services, issued a separate statement after the charges were made public.

“The allegations are shocking and disturbing,” Breton said.

“I am grateful that law enforcement is involved, and that justice is taking its course.”

Representative Jennifer McClellan, a Democrat representing Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District, was also connected to Sprinkle through past public appearances.

According to reports, Sprinkle appeared alongside McClellan in several photographs posted to social media.

A spokesperson for McClellan addressed the matter following the arrest.

“Congresswoman McClellan is shocked by these appalling accusations which should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” the spokesperson said.

Court records show Sprinkle is currently being held at the Northern Neck Regional Jail in Warsaw, Virginia.

He faces federal charges related to the distribution of child pornography. If convicted, the charges carry significant prison penalties under federal law.

Federal authorities have not indicated whether additional charges may be filed or whether the investigation could expand beyond Sprinkle.

The case will proceed in the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Virginia.

The arrest has drawn attention due to Sprinkle’s past involvement in Democratic Party operations at both the state and local levels, as well as his work on multiple political campaigns.

Law enforcement officials emphasized that the charges stem from an undercover investigation and forensic evidence obtained through a court-authorized search.

No trial date has yet been announced.

Electric School Buses in NY Pose Major Problem, Leave Students in the Cold
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Electric School Buses in NY Pose Major Problem, Leave Students in the Cold

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Parents in a western New York school district are raising concerns about electric school buses after reports that students are riding in unheated vehicles during winter conditions, highlighting early challenges as the state moves forward with a mandate requiring school bus fleets to transition to electric power.

According to a report by WIVB-TV, families in the Lake Shore Central School District say some bus drivers have reduced or turned off heat on electric buses in an effort to conserve battery power.

Parents told the station that students have complained of extremely cold conditions during their rides to and from school.

“The kids are coming home saying their bus is freezing cold and the parents are giving them hand warmers,” WIVB reported.

New York’s statewide policy requires that all newly purchased school buses be electric, part of a broader effort to shift public transportation away from fossil fuels.

As districts begin implementing the policy, parents say the transition has exposed operational issues, particularly during colder months.

One of the primary concerns involves the design of the electric buses.

According to WIVB, the heating systems draw power from the same battery source used to operate the vehicle.

Parents say this has led drivers to limit heat usage in order to maintain sufficient battery range throughout their routes.

Multiple parents interviewed by the station said they were aware of at least one instance in which an electric bus broke down during a route.

In those cases, students were left waiting in cold weather for replacement transportation.

“The bus broke down on route,” one parent told WIVB.

“They deployed a substitute bus, and the bus was more than 30 minutes late. My son stood outside for over 35 minutes waiting for a bus that wasn’t coming. Some of those kids are on there for upwards of a half hour or more while the bus makes its route.”

The parent added, “There’s no reason that the kids should freeze for all that time.”

Parents said these incidents have raised questions about reliability and safety, especially given the length of some routes and the winter conditions common in upstate New York.

Several noted that children can spend extended periods on buses before reaching school or home, increasing the impact of reduced heat or delays caused by mechanical issues.

The concerns come as electric vehicle adoption faces broader scrutiny nationwide.

Just one day before the WIVB report aired, Ford Motor Company disclosed that it would absorb a $19.5 billion financial hit related to its electric vehicle investments, citing slower-than-expected demand and rising costs associated with EV production.

Cold-weather performance has long been cited as a challenge for electric vehicles.

In 2024, PBS reported that “Cold weather can cut electric vehicle range and make charging tough,” a factor that can affect both private and commercial use of EVs.

New York’s electric school bus mandate was passed as part of the state’s climate and emissions reduction initiatives.

Supporters of the policy have argued that electric buses reduce pollution and long-term operating costs.

Critics, however, have questioned whether the technology is ready for widespread deployment in all regions and conditions.

Parents in the Lake Shore Central School District said they are seeking answers from school officials and transportation providers about how the district plans to address the reported issues.

Some have called for clearer communication regarding bus performance, contingency plans for breakdowns, and assurances that student comfort and safety will be prioritized during winter operations.

As of the WIVB report, district officials had not announced changes to the bus program, but parents said they expect the concerns to be reviewed as temperatures continue to drop.

The experience in Lake Shore reflects the broader challenges facing school districts nationwide as they implement electric bus programs under state and federal policies.

With winter conditions already testing the limits of battery-powered transportation, parents and educators are closely watching how districts adapt to ensure students are transported safely and reliably.

Jury Convicts Wisconsin Judge Who Helped Illegal Alien Evade Arrest
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Jury Convicts Wisconsin Judge Who Helped Illegal Alien Evade Arrest

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A Wisconsin jury this week convicted Judge Hannah Dugan on a felony obstruction charge after finding she interfered with federal agents attempting to arrest an illegal alien who appeared in her courtroom, while acquitting her on a separate misdemeanor charge of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.

The verdict followed a trial centered on allegations that Dugan attempted to help Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, an illegal alien, evade federal immigration agents by altering courtroom proceedings and escorting him through a restricted exit after agents were seen waiting in a public hallway outside her courtroom.

The case stemmed from an incident in which federal agents were present in the courthouse corridor while Flores-Ruiz was scheduled to appear before Dugan.

According to testimony presented at trial, agents eventually left the hallway.

An FBI agent who led the investigation testified that immediately after their departure, Dugan moved Flores-Ruiz’s case to the top of her docket, told him he could appear for his next hearing via Zoom, and then led him out of the courtroom through a private door.

Prosecutors argued that these actions amounted to obstruction of a federal arrest effort.

As part of their case, prosecutors played audio recordings from Dugan’s courtroom.

In one recording, she can be heard telling her court reporter that she would take “the heat” for leading Flores-Ruiz out the back.

The government charged Dugan with felony obstruction and a misdemeanor count of concealing an individual to prevent arrest.

Prosecutors contended that her actions went beyond routine courthouse procedures and were intended to interfere with law enforcement.

Dugan’s defense attorneys disputed that characterization, arguing she was following established courthouse protocols.

They said those procedures required court employees to report the presence of immigration agents to supervisors and maintained that Dugan did not intentionally try to obstruct the arrest team.

Defense attorneys argued that her actions were administrative decisions made within the scope of her judicial role, not criminal conduct.

The trial featured testimony from 19 witnesses called by the government, including federal agents involved in the attempted arrest and a fellow judge who testified about courtroom practices.

The defense presented four witnesses, including two fellow judges, a public defender, and former Milwaukee Mayor Tom Barrett, described in court as a longtime friend of Dugan. Dugan herself did not testify.

After both sides rested, the defense wrapped up its case on Thursday, and the matter was submitted to the jury.

Deliberations lasted approximately six hours before jurors returned their verdict.

During their first hours of deliberations, jurors submitted two questions to the court.

One question focused on Immigration and Customs Enforcement regulations and who must be notified when agents are making an arrest inside a courthouse.

The second question asked whether Dugan needed to know who specifically was being arrested in order to be found guilty of obstruction.

The jury ultimately found Dugan guilty on the obstruction charge but acquitted her on the concealment count.

Following the verdict, Dugan and her attorneys did not address reporters. According to courtroom observers, she and her legal team “left the courtroom, ducked into a side conference room, and closed the door without speaking to reporters.”

The illegal alien at the center of the case, Eduardo Flores-Ruiz, was later apprehended despite the actions described at trial.

Authorities confirmed he was deported in November.

The verdict concludes the trial phase of a case that drew attention due to the rare prosecution of a sitting judge on charges related to interference with federal immigration enforcement.

Sentencing has not yet been announced.

Suspected Brown Shooter Found Dead in New Hampshire Storage Unit, Not a US Citizen
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Suspected Brown Shooter Found Dead in New Hampshire Storage Unit, Not a US Citizen

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The man suspected of carrying out a deadly shooting at Brown University has been found dead in New Hampshire, bringing an end to a nearly weeklong manhunt following an attack that left multiple victims dead and wounded.

Authorities confirmed Thursday evening that the suspected shooter was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound inside a storage unit in Salem, New Hampshire.

The discovery came six days after the shooting at Brown University, where two students were killed and nine others were critically wounded.

The suspected shooter has been identified as 48-year-old Claudio Neves-Valente, a Brown University student and a Portuguese national.

Law enforcement officials said Neves-Valente was located inside a storage unit connected to an investigation that had expanded beyond Rhode Island as authorities worked to track his movements following the attack.

Providence police confirmed the development after the body was located.

Fox News reported the initial confirmation, citing a source familiar with the investigation.

“BREAKING: Suspected Brown University shooter found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound, source says,” Fox News reported.

The Associated Press also reported that the man suspected in the Brown University shooting had been found dead in New Hampshire, confirming that the search for the suspect had concluded.

Investigators said Neves-Valente had access to a storage unit at the facility in Salem where his body was discovered.

That same facility was connected to the investigation after authorities located an abandoned vehicle believed to be linked to the suspect.

Law enforcement officials did not release additional details about the circumstances inside the storage unit or how long Neves-Valente had been there prior to being found.

Neves-Valente was described as a Brown University student and a permanent resident alien, not a United States citizen.

Authorities said he was originally from Portugal.

His immigration status became part of the investigation as officials worked to establish his background, travel history, and any possible connections that could explain his actions.

The case has drawn additional attention because Neves-Valente is from the same country as an MIT professor who was killed earlier this week at his home in Brookline, Massachusetts.

The shooting at Brown University triggered a large-scale response from campus police, local law enforcement, and federal authorities.

The university was placed on lockdown as officers searched for the suspect in the immediate aftermath of the attack.

Classes and campus activities were disrupted as officials worked to secure the area and account for students and staff.

Investigators said Neves-Valente fled the scene following the shooting, prompting a multi-day search that extended beyond Rhode Island. Law enforcement agencies across state lines coordinated efforts as tips were reviewed and evidence was analyzed.

The discovery of the suspect’s body brought the search to a close but did not end the investigation into how the shooting occurred and whether warning signs were missed.

Officials have not released details about a possible motive or whether Neves-Valente had prior contact with law enforcement before the attack.

Authorities also have not disclosed what type of firearm was used in the shooting or how it was obtained.

Those details are expected to be addressed as the investigation continues.

Counseling services and support resources were made available to students and staff in the days following the shooting.

The deaths of the two students and the critical injuries suffered by nine others have left the Brown University community reeling.

Law enforcement officials said the investigation will remain active as they work to complete a full timeline of events, review evidence recovered during the search, and provide answers to the victims’ families.

Authorities emphasized that there is no ongoing threat to the public following the discovery of Neves-Valente’s body.

Troubling Final Text Emerges After Greg Biffle Family Plane Crash
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Troubling Final Text Emerges After Greg Biffle Family Plane Crash

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Cristina Biffle, the wife of NASCAR driver Greg Biffle, sent a final text message to her mother moments before a plane crash that killed the couple and their two children, according to details shared by family members following the deadly incident, as reported by The New York Post.

The crash occurred Thursday morning when a Cessna C500 jet attempted to land at Statesville Regional Airport in North Carolina shortly before 10:30 a.m. ET.

The aircraft went down on the runway and burst into flames, killing everyone on board.

Cristina Biffle, Greg Biffle, their 14-year-old daughter Emma, and their 5-year-old son Ryder were among the victims. Also killed in the crash were Craig Wadsworth, Dennis Dutton, and Dutton’s son, Jack.

In an interview with People, Cristina’s mother, Cathy Grossu, said her daughter sensed something was wrong during the flight. Grossu said she received a brief text message from Cristina just before the crash.

“She texted me from the plane, and she said, ‘We’re in trouble.’ And that was it,” Grossu told the outlet.

“So we’re devastated. We’re brokenhearted,” she added.

Video from the scene showed the aircraft engulfed in flames on the runway as emergency crews rushed to respond. Authorities have not yet released details on what caused the crash, and an investigation is ongoing.

Grossu said all of the passengers were traveling to Florida for a birthday trip. She described the loss of her daughter, son-in-law, and grandchildren as overwhelming.

“The entire situation is hard to bear,” Grossu said, adding that she could not “believe they’re gone.”

She told People that she could not recall the final words she exchanged with her daughter, Greg, or the children, but said, “they were happy.”

Greg Biffle, a semi-retired NASCAR driver, won 19 NASCAR Cup Series races during his career and was a one-time Busch Series champion.

In recent years, he had drawn attention for his humanitarian efforts, including flying relief supplies into Western North Carolina following Hurricane Helene.

NASCAR acknowledged Biffle’s contributions in a statement following his death.

“Beyond his racing career, he gave of himself for the betterment of our community,” NASCAR said.

“Most notably, Greg spent countless hours of his time helping the citizens of North Carolina during the disasters that followed Hurricane Helene.”

Grossu also shared a final conversation she had with Cristina shortly before the trip, centered on a charitable effort involving Santa letters for families in need.

“She said, ‘Mom, can you go pick up the last 17 letters that are at Staples? I want to get them in the mail before I get on the plane tomorrow,’” Grossu told People.

She said she picked up the letters and delivered them to the Biffle home, where Cristina completed them late that night.

“When they got home last night, she put them in envelopes and finished them all up to get them off to those last 17 families to bring joy to them,” Grossu said. “And that would be the last thing that she would’ve done.”

Federal aviation authorities are continuing to investigate the cause of the crash. No additional information has been released.

Trump Administration Unveils Historic Billion Taiwan Arms Package, Elevating Stakes in the Strait
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Trump Administration Unveils Historic $10 Billion Taiwan Arms Package, Elevating Stakes in the Strait

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In a move the Trump administration frames as essential to regional peace and security, Washington unveiled a sweeping arms package for Taiwan valued at more than $10 billion, while the State Department disclosed the details late Wednesday during a nationally televised address by President Donald Trump. The announcement signals a muscular shift designed to bolster Taiwan’s defenses in a tense strategic environment.

The package includes medium-range missiles, howitzers and drones, and would be the largest U.S. weapons package to Taiwan if approved by Congress. It would surpass the Biden administration’s total of about $8.4 billion in arms sales to Taiwan.

The administration argues the sale is necessary to maintain a credible defensive capability in the Indo-Pacific.

Eight sales agreements cover 82 high-mobility artillery rocket systems, or HIMARS, and 420 Army Tactical Missile Systems, or ATACMS — similar to what the United States had been providing Ukraine during the Biden administration to defend itself from Russia — worth more than $4 billion.

They also include 60 self-propelled howitzer systems and related equipment worth more than $4 billion and drones valued at more than $1 billion.

Other sales in the package include military software valued at more than $1 billion, Javelin and TOW missiles worth more than $700 million, helicopter spare parts worth $96 million and refurbishment kits for Harpoon missiles worth $91 million. The eight sales agreements amount to $11.15 billion, according to Taiwan’s Defense Ministry.

The State Department said the sales serve “U.S. national, economic, and security interests by supporting the recipient’s continuing efforts to modernize its armed forces and to maintain a credible defensive capability.”

The proposed sale(s) will help improve the security of the recipient and assist in maintaining political stability, military balance, and economic progress in the region, the statements said. In a regional context, Taiwan’s bolstering of its defense “is the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability,” the ministry said.

China’s Foreign Ministry attacked the move, saying it would violate diplomatic agreements between China and the U.S.; gravely harm China’s sovereignty, security and territorial integrity; and undermine regional stability.

“The ‘Taiwan independence’ forces on the island seek independence through force and resist reunification through force, squandering the hard-earned money of the people to purchase weapons at the cost of turning Taiwan into a powder keg,” said Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo Jiakun. This blunt warning underscores the high-stakes nature of Washington’s arms flow.

Under federal law, the United States is obligated to assist Taiwan with its self-defense, a point that has become increasingly contentious with China, which has vowed to take Taiwan by force, if necessary.

Taiwan’s Defense Ministry in a statement Thursday expressed gratitude to the United States over the arms sale, which it said would help Taiwan maintain “sufficient self-defense capabilities” and bring strong deterrent capabilities.

Taiwan’s bolstering of its defense is described by Taiwan’s own officials as the foundation for maintaining regional peace and stability, a claim echoed by the ministry.

Taiwan’s Foreign Minister Lin Chia-lung similarly thanked the U.S. for its “long-term support for regional security and Taiwan’s self-defense capabilities,” which he said are key for deterring a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, the body of water separating Taiwan from China’s mainland.

The arms sale comes as Taiwan’s government has pledged to raise defense spending to 3.3% of the island’s gross domestic product next year and to reach 5% by 2030. The boost has drawn pushback from Taiwan’s opposition KMT party and some segments of the population.

In Washington, the Trump administration and Pentagon officials have pressed Taiwan to consider even greater defense investments, arguing that deterrence is the best path to regional stability.

The U.S. boost in military assistance to Taiwan was previewed in legislation adopted by Congress that Trump is expected to sign shortly.

The broader posture aligns with a tough, proactive stance widely associated with Secretary of War Pete Hegseth in public discourse, who has argued that a robust U.S. defense posture deters aggression and preserves peace through strength.

China’s response followed quickly with rhetoric that framed the move as a violation of the status quo and a threat to regional stability.

Yet supporters in Washington argue the package is a necessary step to maintain balance in the Taiwan Strait and to ensure Taiwan can defend itself, which in turn stabilizes the broader region.

The debate now centers on how much backing the United States should provide to Taipei, and how those choices affect Beijing’s calculations.

For supporters of President Trump and his defense team, the package stands as a clear signal that defense, deterrence, and American resolve remain the linchpins of U.S. foreign policy in a volatile era.

59% of Illegal Alien Families On Welfare Programs, Costing Billion: Scott Turner
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59% of Illegal Alien Families On Welfare Programs, Costing $42 Billion: Scott Turner

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Housing and Urban Services Secretary Scott Turner said a majority of illegal alien families in the United States rely on taxpayer-funded welfare programs, costing tens of billions of dollars each year and placing significant strain on housing, healthcare, education, and public safety systems.

Turner said roughly 59 percent of illegal alien families use at least one welfare program, at an estimated annual cost of $42 billion.

He argued those funds should instead be focused on helping American citizens achieve independence rather than long-term reliance on government assistance.

“That for you, 59% of illegal alien families use one or more welfare program in our country, costing about $42 billion a year,” Turner said.

“So if you think about almost 60% of illegal alien families using our welfare system, one or more of them costing about $42 billion a year, which should be prioritized to help the American people not to remain on subsidies, if you will, but to get a hand up and then to get off of government subsidies to live a life of self sustainability.”

Turner said the financial burden created by illegal immigration affects multiple sectors, including housing availability, affordability, medical services, corrections, and education.

He said the influx of individuals into the country increases demand on systems already under pressure.

“And so you have housing, you have affordability, you have housing supply, you have medical you have the corrections, you have education,” Turner said.

“And so when you get all of these people coming into our country, it puts a strain on us.”

Turner credited President Donald Trump with restoring fiscal discipline and taking steps to secure the border, saying those actions are already producing positive results across the economy.

He said efforts under the Trump administration are focused on improving affordability and increasing housing supply while reducing the financial impact of illegal immigration.

“But thank God you know, under President Trump’s leadership, we’re getting our fiscal house back in order,” Turner said.

“The border is being secured. Affordability is coming around.”

Turner said he believes the effects of those policies will become more apparent in the coming year, leading to improvements in economic stability and public safety for Americans.

“And I believe that next year, because of the things that have happened thus far in President Trump’s leadership and in this administration, that next year, from a financial standpoint, from an economic standpoint, from a safety standpoint and more, that the American people will begin to thrive once again,” Turner said.

WATCH:

All the ‘Experts’ Were Wrong About Tariffs, Carl Higbie Brings Out the Receipts
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All the ‘Experts’ Were Wrong About Tariffs, Carl Higbie Brings Out the Receipts

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Newsmax host Carl Higbie said inflation data shows a sharp decline in the value of the dollar since 2019, arguing that most of the increase in living costs occurred during Joe Biden’s presidency and not as a result of President Donald Trump’s tariff policies.

Higbie said total inflation since January 2019 has reduced the purchasing power of the dollar by nearly one-third.

He said data illustrates that the bulk of the increase occurred after Trump left office and Biden entered the White House.

“Check this thing out. Okay, this is the total inflation since January of 2019 Trump leads office nearly 30% increase since 2019 your dollar from January of 2019 is worth 70 cents today. That’s the pain,” Higbie said.

He pointed to a visual breakdown of inflation trends, identifying the point where Biden took office and linking that period to rising costs.

“So let’s break down where the bulk of that pain came from. You see this line right here? That’s where Trump 45 left office and Biden came in. Carry that over to the next line. This is all Biden’s presidency, and this is where Trump came back in,” Higbie said.

Higbie said the cost of living rose by more than one-fifth during Biden’s time in office, contrasting that increase with more recent inflation reports.

“So this is a 22% rise during Joe Biden for the cost to live. Now this 2% 2.7% number, that’s what they’re talking about. This represents the part of the graph for the number that came out today, which, all things considered, is pretty good, even though it outperformed the estimates of supposed to be 3.1%,” he said.

Higbie rejected claims that Trump’s tariffs were responsible for the earlier spike in inflation, saying the timeline does not support that argument.

“And the left wants to make it seem that Trump’s tariffs are to blame for this 22% inflation that happened before the tariffs,” Higbie said.

He argued that prices in several sectors have declined since Trump returned to office, citing fuel costs as an example.

“See, Trump has actually brought some prices back down to almost where they were before Biden and in some sectors like gas and things like that,” Higbie said.

Higbie compared gas prices at the end of Trump’s first term to prices under Biden, linking the increase to Democratic policy decisions.

The price of gas was a major consideration for many voters during the 2024 presidential election, with many Americans saying they believed Donald Trump was the best candidate to bring prices down fast from post-pandemic highs.

“For example, when Trump left office, gas was about $2.50 a gallon, which shot up to a national average of $3.50 during the time Biden had both the House and the Senate, he was doing whatever he wanted, passing things like this, green, New Deal, trash,” he said.

Higbie said Biden responded to rising gas prices by tapping the Strategic Petroleum Reserve, arguing the move was politically motivated rather than driven by emergency needs.

“And then in January of 2022 what happened then the number one Republican talking point was, Joe Biden is driving gas prices too high because he was What does Joe Biden do? Check this out. He starts draining the Strategic Petroleum Reserve that’s meant for a crisis or wartime, but he did it for political gain during the midterms right around here,” Higbie said.

He said the reserve was reduced significantly during that period.

“He drained the stock from 650 million barrels down to 350 million barrels in reserve,” Higbie said.

Higbie acknowledged that gas prices temporarily fell as a result but said the drop was artificial and short-lived.

“And yes, gas prices did actually fall during that time, but it was a supply surge, and they crept back up slightly until they started to go back down under Trump,” he said.

Higbie credited Trump’s policies for what he described as rare deflation across multiple consumer categories.

“Because Trump policies came in and had actual deflation from that, which is almost unheard of,” Higbie said.

He said Trump highlighted those declines during a recent speech, listing several categories where prices have dropped.

“See Trump showed these during his speech last night for a lot of things, egg prices down, hotel rates, new used cars. There’s a gasoline, airfare, prescription drugs, sporting events,” Higbie said.

He argued that the price reductions contradict claims made by media outlets about the effects of tariffs.

“But all these things are down. They’re not up by less. They’re actually down, which is deflationary,” Higbie said.

“But according to the liberal media, all those industries are and should be up affected by tariffs, but they’re not.”

WATCH:

Securing the Seas: Preserving America’s Maritime Edge for Generations
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Securing the Seas: Preserving America’s Maritime Edge for Generations

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In 2025, America marks 250 years of protecting the people and defending our values, and the Navy remains the backbone of that mission.

It has stood as a storied force from the age of sail to the era of nuclear propulsion, long range strike, and undersea dominance, always defending our shores while preserving opportunity.

Yet the strategic environment today is unlike any we have faced in generations, and that demands a sharper focus on readiness and modernization.

For decades, American naval supremacy was treated as a given. Today, that margin is narrowing.

Our adversaries are building vessels expressly designed to contest our ability to project power, support our allies and operate in the Western Pacific and beyond.

Today, we are not the only navy to have an aircraft carrier with electromagnetic catapults.

They are expanding their reach and capabilities, signaling a willingness to operate globally and challenge U.S. dominance on the world’s oceans.

CNO dishes on sailor wellbeing, US Navy success in era of competition. As our competitors extend their capacity and reach, they study every move we make.

Across the Indo-Pacific, surveillance ships monitor our posture, logistics operations, and multilateral exercises; they chart undersea routes, map chokepoints, and track how we maneuver with partners.

In this environment, deterrence cannot be achieved by rhetoric or presence alone. It requires credible, modern, combat ready naval power.

That is why the U.S. Navy must stay ready, modernize rapidly, and invest wisely because the world is no longer defined by uncontested seas or predictable threats.

We are pursuing an ambitious but essential readiness goal: by January 2027, 80% of our ships, submarines and aircraft will be combat surge ready.

Achieving this requires shorter maintenance cycles, greater spare parts availability, improved training pipelines, and targeted upgrades across the fleet. Readiness is not a budget line; it is a promise to the American people that their Navy will never arrive late to a fight.

Modernization is not merely about keeping pace; it is about leap ahead advantages that deter war and, if necessary, win decisively. We are accelerating production of the Columbia class ballistic missile submarine, the bedrock of our nation’s nuclear deterrent.

A recent $2.28 billion contract for five hulls underscores our commitment to sustaining this unmatched capability for decades to come.

But the fleet of the future must be more than larger; it must be smarter, more resilient, and more lethal.

That requires a balanced mix of aircraft carriers, large and small surface combatants, submarines, unmanned systems, and emerging technologies that can out-think, out-sense, and out-fight any adversary on our terms.

The carrier remains indispensable, but its future lies in a closer pairing with stealth aircraft, longer-range strike platforms, unmanned systems, and advanced refueling concepts that extend reach and complicate an adversary’s calculus.

The air wing of the future must be survivable, dispersed, networked, and capable of operating in highly contested environments.

Large surface combatants will provide resilient command and control, massive payloads, and the electrical power and sensors needed for high-end fights, while small surface combatants will offer distributed fires, deception, escort, and maritime security in regions where presence deters and absence invites risk. The balance of these platforms is not a luxury—it is an operational necessity.

New technologies are reshaping maritime warfare faster than at any time in our history. The Navy is moving decisively to stay ahead. Directed energy weapons like HELIOS are already being tested on ships, but more powerful high energy laser and microwave systems are an imperative to counter drone swarms, cruise missiles, and fast inshore threats.

Unmanned systems will multiply the reach and lethality of our manned platforms. Through initiatives like Replicator, medium and large unmanned surface vessels, autonomous ISR platforms, and long-endurance undersea drones, the fleet grows more distributed, more adaptive, and more unpredictable to any adversary.

These platforms will only realize their full potential through a modernized command and control architecture that fuses sensors, weapons, and decision tools into a single operational picture.

That is why we are investing in resilient networks, artificial intelligence for decision support, and battle management systems that accelerate our ability to find, fix, and finish threats at machine speed while preserving human judgment where it matters most.

Even the most advanced fleet will falter without a strong industrial base, a skilled workforce, and world-class sailors. We are expanding the Maritime Industrial Base Program to grow workforce capacity through advanced technical training in welding, CNC machining, additive manufacturing, and nondestructive testing.

The new Maritime Training Center now produces roughly 1,000 trained workers annually—talent that goes directly into our shipyards.

Until American yards fully recover from workforce shortages and supply chain fragility, we are exploring responsible cooperation with allied shipbuilders in places like South Korea and Japan to bridge near-term gaps in maintenance, repair, and production.

These partnerships create strategic depth today while buying time for U.S. shipyards to modernize and expand for tomorrow.

We must be ruthless in our honesty about readiness and relentlessly innovative in our solutions. America does not want a fair fight—we want a fleet so capable, so ready, and so forward that the fight never begins.

Sea power has always reflected national will; if we intend to remain the world’s preeminent maritime power, we must match our ambition with the resources, stability, and discipline required.

What we protect is greater than what we project. We protect freedom of movement, freedom of trade, and freedom of thought.

As we look beyond this 250th anniversary, we must recommit to maritime superiority with stable funding, accelerated shipbuilding and repair, and a bold embrace of innovation—from machine learning to new ship design to new operational concepts.

Sea power is America’s first line of defense — and our last great advantage. We are committed to preserving it.

USS Nimitz Makes Homecoming After Lengthy Final Deployment
News

USS Nimitz Makes Homecoming After Lengthy Final Deployment

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The USS Nimitz arrived back at its homeport of Bremerton, Washington, on Tuesday, marking what could be the final visit before retirement.

The ship is the world’s oldest aircraft carrier, commissioned in 1975, and is set to return to Naval Station Norfolk, Virginia, in 2026 for decommissioning. The Nimitz carries decades of missions and breakthroughs in naval aviation.

It completed a nine month deployment to the US third, fifth and seventh fleet areas after departing Kitsap on March 21.

During its nine month mission leaders emphasized the importance of credible deterrence and the readiness of the carrier strike group to protect allies and interests abroad.

We have traveled more than two-thirds of this planet during this nine-month deployment, and I cannot overstate the positive impact Nimitz Strike Group has made as part of our mission to maintain peace through strength by sustaining credible deterrence alongside our allies and partners, said Rear Adm. Fred Goldhammer, commander of Carrier Strike Group 11, according to a release.

During the deployment, the carrier spent three months in the Indo Pacific Command area of responsibility and nearly four months in U S Central Command.

In the US Fifth Fleet, the strike group helped set conditions that enabled the Iran Israel ceasefire and supported strikes against Islamic State targets in Somalia.

The Nimitz also supported operations in the U S Seventh Fleet, providing deterrence in the Indo Pacific and taking part in the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition.

Sailors aboard the Nimitz completed more than 8,500 sorties, logged about seventeen thousand flight hours, carried out fifty replenishments at sea and covered over eighty two thousand nautical miles.

These numbers underscore the ship’s sustained pace and the readiness of the crew to execute complex operations in challenging environments.

Built after the Navy’s first nuclear powered carrier, the Nimitz became the flagship vessel of the ten Nimitz class nuclear carriers.

The storied vessel was named after Fleet Admiral Chester W Nimitz, who served as commander in chief of the U S Pacific Fleet during World War II.

The Nimitz first deployed July 7, 1976, to the Mediterranean, and two years later shifted to the Indian Ocean after Iran took fifty two U S hostages in the wake of an attack on the U S embassy in Tehran, Iran.

The warship participated in Operation Evening Light, which sought to rescue those hostages, but the mission was called off because there were not enough helicopters to complete it. The fifty two hostages were eventually released and returned to the United States.

The Nimitz also supported Operation Desert Storm in the Arabian Gulf in 1991 and Operation Southern Watch in 1993 and 1997.

The carrier was stationed at its homeport of Naval Station Norfolk for twelve years before relocating to Naval Base Kitsap in 1987. It moved again in 2001 to Naval Air Station North Island in San Diego, from which it deployed in 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and the war on terrorism.

The Nimitz relocated in 2012 to a new homeport in Everett, Washington, deploying a year later in 2013 to support Operation Enduring Freedom.

The carrier also famously fielded the Navy F 35 Lightning’s first carrier landing at sea.

When the COVID-19 pandemic hit in 2020, the Nimitz began a deployment that would end up becoming the longest since the Vietnam War, clocking in at three hundred forty one days.

In tracking a long arc of service, the Nimitz remains a central asset for American deterrence and presence, a symbol of steady strength even as the Navy looks to its future.

The ship’s legacy continues to inform today’s discussions about readiness, modern warfare, and the way forward for a force built to face evolving challenges.


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