The U.S. Senate voted to confirm Pete Hegseth for the role of secretary of defense Friday evening, Jan. 24. Hegseth’s confirmation comes after numerous controversies emerged following his nomination.
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Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote after a 50-50 split, with three Republican senators –– Sen. Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, and Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska – voting against Hegseth’s confirmation.
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Hegseth most recently worked as a political commentator and host at Fox News after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received two Bronze Stars.
He has pledged to implement President Donald Trump’s proposals to eliminate diversity and alleged wokeness in the military.
But Hegseth faced controversy over his management of two veteran-focused political advocacy groups, as well as evidence alleging alcoholism and sexual misconduct.
The Minnesota native graduated from Princeton University in 2003, followed by more than a decade in the Army.
Hegseth ran an unsuccessful Senate campaign in Minnesota in 2012. He was also reportedly someone Trump considered to run the Department of Veterans Affairs during his first term.
Hegseth received some key support for his nomination, including from Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa. The senator backed Hegseth after originally expressing skepticism over his sexual assault allegations.
In 2017, a California Republican staffer told police that Hegseth sexually assaulted her and that she remembered repeatedly telling him no. Hegseth said he had sex with the woman and that it was consensual.
The Monterey County district attorney did not file charges. However, Hegseth paid the woman $50,000 as part of a 2020 settlement involving a non-disclosure agreement.
Reporting this week suggested more potential sexual misconduct, with outlets including NBC News and The Washington Post reporting that Hegseth’s former sister-in-law said he would get aggressively drunk, spout racist remarks and abuse his second wife.
The sister-in-law submitted a sworn affidavit this week to senators detailing the misconduct. The New York Times also reported that his second wife is under a non-disparagement clause from her ex-husband as part of their 2018 divorce agreement.
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Before the final vote, Hegseth’s nomination advanced to the floor in a 51-49 vote, with Collins and Murkowski voting against.
McConnell was the only Republican to vote to advance the nomination but against the final confirmation.
Tags: Alcohol, Department of Defense, Diversity and inclusion programs, Donald Trump, Mitch McConnell, Pete Hegseth, Racism, Sex abuse, Susan Collins, The Pentagon, U.S. military
LAUREN TAYLOR: The US Senate voted to confirm Pete Hegseth for the role of Secretary of Defense Friday evening after controversies emerged about him following his nomination.
Vice President JD Vance cast the tiebreaking vote after a 50-50 vote, with three Republican Senators – Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, Susan Collins of Maine and Lisa Murkowski of Alaska – voting against Hegseth’s confirmation.
Hegseth most recently worked as a political commentator and host at Fox News after serving in Iraq and Afghanistan, where he received two Bronze Stars.
He has pledged to implement President Trump’s proposals to eliminate diversity and alleged wokeness in the military.
But Hegseth faced controversy over his management of two veteran-focused political advocacy groups and evidence alleging alcoholism and sexual misconduct on his part.
The Minnesota native graduated from Princeton University in 2003, then spending over a decade in the Army.
He ran an unsuccessful Senate campaign in Minnesota in 2012 and was reportedly one of the people President Trump considered to run the Department of Veterans Affairs in his first term.
Hegseth received some key support for his nomination, including from Iowa Republican Sen. Joni Ernst, who backed Hegseth after originally expressing skepticism about him due to the allegations of sexual assault against him.
In 2017, a California Republican staffer told police that Hegseth sexually assaulted her and that she remembered repeatedly saying no. Hegseth said he had sex with the woman but that it was consensual.
The Monterey County district attorney did not file charges but Hegseth paid the woman $50,000 as part of a 2020 settlement involving a non-disclosure agreement.
Reporting this week suggested more potential sexual misconduct, with outlets including NBC News and The Washington Post reporting that Hegseth’s former sister-in-law said he would get aggressively drunk, deliver racist remarks and abuse his second wife.
The sister-in-law submitted a sworn affidavit this week to senators detailing the misconduct and The New York Times reported his second wife is under a non-disparagement clause of her ex-husband as part of their 2018 divorce agreement.
Before the final vote, Hegseth’s nomination advanced to the floor on a 51-49 vote, with two Republicans, Sen. Susan Collins of Maine and Sen. Lisa Murkowski of Alaska, voting against.
McConnell was the only Republican to vote to advance the nomination but against the final confirmation.
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Lauren Taylor.
And for all the latest updates on this and other top stories, download the Straight Arrow News app or visit SAN.com.
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President Donald Trump visited California Friday, Jan. 24, to assess the damage from the ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area. And there to greet him when he arrived was a longtime foe, Gov. Gavin Newsom.
The Republican president and Democratic governor have been at odds for years, with Newsom criticizing Trump’s policies and behavior. Newsom recently struck a deal with lawmakers in Sacramento to set aside $50 million to “Trump-proof” his state via legal challenges to federal orders.
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But while the president has continued to fire at Newsom, doling out the nickname “Newscum” and not inviting him to an emergency briefing, Newsom said Thursday, Jan. 23, that he was ready to welcome the president.
“I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him,” Newsom told reporters in a briefing.
When Trump arrived on the tarmac Friday, he briefly spoke to reporters. Trump said, “I appreciate the governor coming out and meeting me,” before the two shook hands.
Newsom’s recent shift could make it easier for him and the president to agree on terms of aid for the state and its residents ravaged by fires.
President Trump and his Republican allies have suggested placing conditions on aid for California. They include requiring the state to adopt policies favored by conservatives, such as a voter ID law.
Conditioning aid on policy changes would be a largely unprecedented move. Since the establishment of FEMA in the 1970s, the federal government has helped states after natural disasters, regardless of which party controlled the state or the White House.
Newsom hasn’t been entirely silent in response to President Trump’s comments. As the president and Republicans accuse Newsom of not bringing in enough water to keep fire hydrants running, Newsom called out “mis- and disinformation” about water availability. However, he refrained from calling Trump out by name.
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While fire hydrants ran dry in Pacific Palisades as the fire spread, officials say it wasn’t a water shortage. Instead, they say it was dropping water pressure as demand rapidly increased.
LAUREN TAYLOR:
President Donald Trump visited California Friday to assess the damage from the ongoing fires in the Los Angeles area. And there to greet him when he arrived was a longtime foe: California Governor Gavin Newsom.
The Republican president and Democratic governor have been at odds for years, with Newsom vocally criticizing Trump’s policies and behavior. Newsom recently struck a deal with lawmakers in Sacramento to set aside $50 million to “Trump-proof” his state via legal challenges to federal orders.
But while the president has continued to fire at Newsom, calling him “Newscum” and not inviting the governor to an emergency briefing, Newsom said Thursday he was ready to welcome the president, and President Trump said Friday he appreciated the move.
“I look forward to being there on the tarmac to thank the president, welcome him, and we’re making sure that all the resources he needs for a successful briefing are provided to him.”
Newsom’s recent shift could make it easier for him to reach agreement with the president on the terms of aid for the state and its residents ravaged by the fires.
President Trump and his Republican allies have suggested conditioning aid for California on the state adopting policies favored by conservatives, including a voter ID law.
Conditioning aid on policy changes would be a largely unprecedented move, as since the establishment of FEMA in the 1970s, the federal government has helped states after natural disasters, regardless of which party controlled the state or the White House.
But Newsom hasn’t been entirely silent in response to President Trump’s comments. As the president and Republicans accuse Newsom of not bringing in enough water to keep fire hydrants running, Newsom called out “mis- and disinformation” about water availability but did not call out Trump by name.
While fire hydrants ran dry in Pacific Palisades as the fire began to spread, local officials say it wasn’t due to a water shortage, with the cause instead coming from dropping water pressure as demand jumped quickly.
For Straight Arrow News, I’m Lauren Taylor.
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Two of the biggest credit card companies in the U.S. are being accused of facilitating payments to access child pornography and sex trafficking on the popular site OnlyFans. The allegations come from a whistleblower complaint filed in 2023.
In the complaint filed with the U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Unit, a whistleblower claims that Mastercard and Visa failed to prevent their networks from facilitating payments for child sexual abuse material and sex trafficking on OnlyFans, Reuters reports.
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The whistleblower alleges that the two major card companies had been aware that their networks were being used to pay for illegal content on the site since 2021 but allegedly ignored the illicit revenue.
According to Reuters, the whistleblower filed the complaint in 2023. Federal agents contacted Mastercard and Visa in 2021 and 2022, warning the companies about the unlawful content.
The whistleblower, who is also said to have assisted with a 2022 anti-trafficking study, found a “high volume” of OnlyFans accounts linked to child pornography or sex trafficking. The study was shared with the card companies.
The complaint argues that by processing payments for OnlyFans, Mastercard and Visa “willfully failed” to uphold anti-money laundering rules under the Bank Secrecy Act, prompting the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN) and two other federal agencies to take action.
The whistleblower spoke with Reuters anonymously and stated that federal agencies never contacted him to discuss the complaint.
A Visa spokesperson told Reuters they will remove any financial institutions or merchants failing to meet its “robust compliance requirements.” The spokesperson added that Visa employs top-tier controls to prevent, detect and address illegal activity.
A Mastercard spokesperson said the company holds all users to high standards and works with partners to address illegal activity. They denied that Mastercard had “failed” to maintain effective anti-money laundering programs.
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In December, a Canadian Open-Source Intelligence Centre investigator told authorities OnlyFans had dozens of accounts containing child sexual abuse material.
The site responded by stating it has a zero-tolerance approach to such material.
IN A COMPLAINT FILED WITH THE U.S. TREASURY’S FINANCIAL CRIMES UNIT, A WHISTLEBLOWER CLAIMS MASTERCARD AND VISA FAILED TO STOP THEIR PAYMENT NETWORKS FROM LAUNDERING PROCEEDS FROM CHILD SEXUAL ABUSE MATERIAL AND SEX TRAFFICKING ON POPULAR PORN-DRIVEN SITE ONLYFANS, REUTERS REPORTS.
THE WHISTLEBLOWER ALLEGES THE TWO MAJOR CARD COMPANIES KNEW THEIR NETWORKS WERE BEING USED TO PAY FOR ILLEGAL CONTENT ON THE PORN SITE SINCE 2021, ACCUSING THEM OF IGNORING THE ILLICIT REVENUE.
ACCORDING TO REUTERS, THE WHISTLEBLOWER FILED THE COMPLAINT IN 2023. FEDERAL AGENTS CALLED MASTERCARD AND VISA IN 2021 AND 2022 – WARNING THE COMPANIES OF THE UNLAWFUL CONTENT.
THE WHISTLEBLOWER, ALSO ALLEGEDLY ASSISTED WITH A 2022 ANTI-TRAFFICKING STUDY THAT FOUND A “HIGH VOLUME” OF ONLYFANS ACCOUNTS SHOWING SIGNS OF CHILD ABUSE MATERIAL OR SEX TRAFFICKING AND THE STUDY WAS SHARED WITH THE CARD COMPANIES.
THE COMPLAINT ARGUES THAT BY PROCESSING PAYMENTS ON ONLYFANS, MASTERCARD AND VISA “WILLFULLY FAILED” TO UPHOLD ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING RULES UNDER THE BANK SECRECY ACT, PROMPTING THE FINANCIAL CRIMES ENFORCEMENT NETWORK AND TWO OTHER FEDERAL AGENCIES TO TAKE ACTION.
THE WHISTLEBLOWER SPOKE WITH REUTERS ANONYMOUSLY AND SAID FEDERAL AGENCIES NEVER CONTACTED HIM TO DISCUSS THE COMPLAINT.
A VISA SPOKESPERSON TOLD REUTERS ANY FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS OR MERCHANTS THAT DON’T MEET ITS “ROBUST COMPLIANCE REQUIREMENTS” WILL BE REMOVED FROM ITS NETWORK, ADDING IT USES TOP-TIER CONTROLS TO PREVENT, DETECT, AND ADDRESS ILLEGAL ACTIVITY.
A MASTERCARD SPOKESPERSON SAID THE COMPANY HOLDS ALL USERS TO HIGH STANDARDS AND WORKS WITH PARTNERS TO ADDRESS ILLEGAL ACTIVITY. THEY DENIED THAT MASTERCARD HAD “FAILED” TO MAINTAIN EFFECTIVE ANTI-MONEY LAUNDERING PROGRAMS.
IN DECEMBER, AN INVESTIGATOR WITH THE CANADIAN OPEN-SOURCE INTELLIGENCE CENTRE REPORTED TO AUTHORITIES THAT ONLYFANS HAD DOZENS OF ACCOUNTS CONTAINING CHILD SEX ABUSE MATERIAL.
THE SITE RESPONDED SAYING THE COMPANY HAS A ZERO TOLERANCE APPROACH TO SUCH MATERIAL.
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Two former Politico reporters have taken to a podcast to voice their frustrations with their former employer’s editorial decisions, particularly regarding coverage of now-former President Joe Biden and his family. Marc Caputo and Tara Palmeri, both former Politico writers, claim the news outlet suppressed or outright killed stories that could paint the Bidens negatively.
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Claims of censorship: Biden family coverage suppressed
Caputo and Palmeri described Politico as resisting stories that would have been harmful to the Biden family, often under the guise of avoiding “bad press.” One of the most notable examples they shared was the Hunter Biden laptop saga.
Caputo recounted editors telling him not to pursue the story despite his belief that it was worth covering. He noted a particular headline from Politico dismissing the laptop as “Russian disinformation,” a claim Caputo referred to as “misinformation.”
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“I was covering Biden at the time, and I remember coming to my editor and saying, ‘Hey, we need to write about the Hunter Biden laptop,’” Caputo recalled. “And I was told this came from on high at Politico: Don’t write about the laptop, don’t talk about the laptop, don’t tweet about the laptop.”
Palmeri’s struggles with delayed reporting on Hunter Biden
Palmeri also spoke about her own difficulties in reporting on the Hunter Biden saga. She spent months investigating a gun-related incident involving the president’s son, which ultimately contributed to his conviction. Palmeri questioned whether Politico delayed the story due to its timing during President Biden’s early days in office.
“I spent three months on it. I went to the laptop shop, and I did all of the reporting in Delaware, and I did all of that. But yeah, it had to be 100% nailed down,” Palmeri explained. “But I do wonder if it could have been published a little quicker if it was a different type of story.”
Story on Hunter Biden’s tax issues also allegedly suppressed
Caputo further recounted how Politico editors killed another critical story he wrote about Hunter Biden’s tax issues without explanation. The story related to Hunter Biden’s work with the Ukrainian company Burisma. Caputo believes the decision was an attempt to shield Joe Biden’s presidential campaign from unfavorable publicity.
“I wrote what would’ve been a classic story — vice president’s son slapped with tax lien for the period of time that he worked for this controversial Ukrainian company, which was haunting his father on the campaign trail,” Caputo said. “That story was killed by the editors, and they gave no explanation for that either.”
Politico responds, denies suppression claims
In response to Caputo and Palmeri’s claims, a Politico spokesperson pushed back, suggesting their former reporters had false memories. The spokesperson also highlighted that, over the years, Politico had led the way in reporting on the business dealings of Joe Biden’s family members, including Hunter and James Biden.
“Seems like a case of false memory, given that across the years they referenced, POLITICO journalists lead the way on wide-ranging reporting on the business dealings of Joe Biden’s closest relatives,” the statement read. “Notably, POLITICO was the first to confirm that Hunter Biden’s laptop contained genuine material and to report on the gun incident that led to his conviction.”
The spokesperson also emphasized Politico’s editorial standards, claiming the outlet upholds rigorous reporting processes to vet every story thoroughly.
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Conclusion: A tense standoff over editorial decisions
The public dispute between former Politico reporters and the outlet’s editorial leadership highlights a growing tension over the coverage of political figures, particularly within the context of sensitive topics involving the Biden family. While Caputo and Palmeri maintain that Politico suppressed their stories, Politico remains firm in its defense, pointing to its overall record on investigative reporting.
[Karah Rucker]
“Well since we’re spilling tea about our former employer”
TWO FORMER POLITICO REPORTERS TOOK TO A PODCAST TO AIR THEIR FRUSTRATIONS WITH THEIR FORMER EMPLOYER’S EDITORIAL DECISIONS –
PARTICULARLY HOW IT HANDLED STORIES ABOUT NOW-FORMER PRESIDENT JOE BIDEN AND THE BIDEN FAMILY.
THE TWO FORMER POLITICO WRITERS SAY THE LEFT-LEANING NEWS OUTLET WOULD “KILL” STORIES THAT PORTRAYED HIM IN A NEGATIVE LIGHT.
MARC CAPUTO AND TARA PALMERI SAY POLITICO RESISTED OR KILLED STORIES REGARDING THE BIDEN FAMILY IF IT COULD BE SEEN AS “BAD PRESS.”
ONE OF THEIR EXAMPLES – WAS THE HUNTER BIDEN LAPTOP SAGA.
CAPUTO SAYS WHILE HE WAS WORKING AT POLITICO – HE WAS TOLD NOT TO COVER THE LAPTOP STORY – DESPITE HIS BELIEF THAT IT WAS IMPORTANT.
HE POINTED TO A POLITICO HEADLINE – THAT DISMISSED THE LAPTOP AS “RUSSIAN DISINFORMATION” – A REPORT CAPUTO CALLED “MISINFORMATION”.
“I was covering Biden at the time, and I remember coming to my editor and saying, ‘Hey, we need to write about the Hunter Biden laptop.’ And I was told this came from on high at Politico: Don’t write about the laptop, don’t talk about the laptop, don’t tweet about the laptop.
Palmeri, who also reported on Hunter Biden, shared her own struggles to publish WHAT SHE THOUGHT TO BE WERE critical stories. She spent months investigating a gun-related incident involving Hunter, which later contributed to his conviction ACCORDING TO POLITICO. Palmeri suggested that the story may have been delayed due to the timing of President Biden’s early days in office.
“ I spent three months on it, I went to the laptop shop, and I did all of the reporting in Delaware, and I did all of that. But yeah it had, it had to be like much, it had to be 100% nailed down. I had everything, you know, the police reports, every, like, you know, I’m a solid reporter. But I do wonder if it could have, if it would have been published a little quicker if it was a different type of story.”
Caputo also recalled how another story about Hunter Biden’s tax issues, related to his work with Burisma, was killed by Politico editors without explanation. He believes this was an attempt to shield Joe Biden’s presidential campaign from negative publicity.
“I wrote what wouldve been a classic story of vice president’s son slapped with tax lien for the pried of time that he worked for this controversial ukrainian company which is haunting his father on the campaign trial.
That story was killed by the editors and they gave no explanation for that either.”
A POLITICO SPOKESPERSON HAS RESPONDED TO WHAT THEIR FORMER REPORTERS HAD TO SAY IN THIS TELL-ALL PODCAST –
SAYING “Seems like a case of false memory, given that across the years they referenced, POLITICO journalists lead the way on wide-ranging reporting on the business dealings of Joe Biden’s closest relatives.
Through deeply reported coverage—both pre- and post-election—POLITICO provided readers with a nuanced understanding of the dealings of James Biden, Hunter Biden, and other relatives of the president, along with the ethical questions they raised. Notably, POLITICO was the first to confirm that Hunter Biden’s laptop contained genuine material and to report on the gun incident that led to his conviction.
our editors uphold rigorous standards, ensuring every story is thoroughly vetted and ‘buttoned up’ before publishing. This approach reflects our unwavering commitment to accuracy and accountability—principles that have guided us and will continue to do so.
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President Donald Trump signed an executive order during his first week back in office that gives the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) the authority to deport foreign nationals, including students, who express support for groups designated as terrorist organizations by the U.S. government. The order, titled “Protecting the United States from Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats,” focuses on individuals who support, promote or assist in terrorist activities.
Foreign nationals supporting Hamas could be targeted
Under the new directive, DHS can actively remove individuals from the country, who meet the criteria of supporting terrorism unless doing so would compromise national security or ongoing investigations. The order’s provisions could raise concerns for some foreign students who participated in pro-Palestinian rallies held on college campuses in the wake of the Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel.
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Some of these students have been accused of advocating for Hamas, a group designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S., with particular attention being drawn to the presence of Hamas symbols and flags at these rallies.
Controversy surrounding the executive action
Critics of the order, including civil rights groups like the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), have voiced concerns about its potential to infringe on free speech. The organization issued a statement arguing that the executive order “threatens an unprecedented crackdown on free speech and legal immigration” by applying “vague, subjective, and unenforceable” criteria. The move has sparked debate over the balance between national security and individual rights.
Review of visa practices and stricter screening for high-risk countries
In addition to deportations, the executive order mandates a review of how the U.S. issues visas. A report outlining recommendations for stricter visa restrictions from specific countries deemed to pose security risks will be presented to the president within 60 days.
The order also strengthens the vetting process for foreign nationals, introducing enhanced screening for individuals seeking to enter or remain in the United States.
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The government will pay particularly close attention to nationals from countries identified as having significant security risks, further tightening the screening process.
Tags: Department of Homeland Security, Donald Trump, Executive Order, Hamas, Protests, students, Visa
PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP SIGNED AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THIS WEEK THAT ALLOWS FOR THE DEPORTATION OF STUDENTS AND OTHER FOREIGN NATIONALS WHO EXPRESS SUPPORT FOR GROUPS DESIGNATED AS TERRORIST ORGANIZATIONS BY THE U.S. GOVERNMENT.
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, TITLED “PROTECTING THE UNITED STATES FROM FOREIGN TERRORISTS AND OTHER NATIONAL SECURITY AND PUBLIC SAFETY THREATS” SPECIFICALLY APPLIES TO THOSE WHO SUPPORT, AID, OR PROMOTE TERRORIST ACTIVITIES.
THE DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY IS NOW AUTHORIZED TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION TO REMOVE SUCH INDIVIDUALS UNLESS IT WOULD INTERFERE WITH NATIONAL SECURITY OR ONGOING INVESTIGATIONS.
THIS MOVE HAS DRAWN ATTENTION TO THE PARTICIPANTS OF PRO-PALESTINIAN RALLIES HELD AT COLLEGE CAMPUSES FOLLOWING THE OCTOBER 7TH ATTACK ON ISRAEL. SOME FOREIGN STUDENTS WHO PARTICIPATED IN THESE RALLIES COULD BE AFFECTED IF THEY WERE ADVOCATING FOR HAMAS – A DESIGNATED FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP.
AT THESE RALLIES – HAMAS SYMBOLS AND FLAGS WERE WORN AND FLOWN BY SOME PARTICIPANTS IN THE CROWDS.
PRESIDENT TRUMP HAS LONG CRITICIZED EXTREMIST VIEWS ON U.S. COLLEGE CAMPUSES, AND DURING HIS CAMPAIGN, HE PLEDGED TO TAKE ACTION AGAINST ANY FOREIGN NATIONALS PROMOTING ANTI-AMERICAN OR VIOLENT IDEOLOGIES.
HOWEVER – SOME CRITICS OF THE EXECUTIVE ACTION ARGUE IT COULD IMPEDE ON FREE SPEECH.
THE COUNCIL ON AMERICAN ISLAMIC RELATIONS ISSUED A STATEMENT SAYING THE ORDER “…threatens an unprecedented crackdown on free speech and legal immigration based on vague, subjective and unenforceable criteria.”
THE ADMINISTRATION IS NOW TASKED WITH REVIEWING VISA ISSUANCE PRACTICES, AND A REPORT IS DUE TO THE PRESIDENT IN 60 DAYS OUTLINING WHICH COUNTRIES MAY FACE STRICTER RESTRICTIONS.
THE ORDER ALSO STRENGTHENS THE VETTING PROCESS FOR FOREIGN NATIONALS, REQUIRING ENHANCED SCREENING FOR ANYONE SEEKING TO ENTER –OR ALREADY IN THE U.S.
THE GOVERNMENT WILL BE LOOKING PARTICULARLY CLOSELY AT NATIONALS FROM COUNTRIES IDENTIFIED AS HAVING SECURITY RISKS.
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President Donald Trump campaigned on a promise to end the war in Ukraine in 24 hours once in office. However, new developments and a series of back-and-forth drone attacks between Russia and Ukraine serve as signs fighting isn’t slowing down.
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Ukraine’s military launched drones into Russia Friday, Jan. 24, hitting oil facilities in Ryazan and a microelectronics production plant in Bryansk.
The attacks are the latest in Ukraine’s effort to disrupt the Russian military and put pressure on the country’s economy by striking the oil industry, which is Moscow’s main source of revenue.
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Russian drones also attacked Ukraine on Friday, killing three people in separate locations near Kyiv, while also damaging multiple buildings.
How is Ukrainian President Zelenskyy responding?
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy posted a video to X showing the rescue efforts with a message saying he was grateful to every leader and every country exerting pressure on Russia to bring this “unprovoked and terrorist war to an end.”
All night long, rescue operations continued in the Kyiv region following a Shahed drone attack. Residential buildings were damaged in Brovary and Hlevakha. Tragically, three people lost their lives. My condolences to their families and loved ones.
— Volodymyr Zelenskyy / Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) January 24, 2025
There are also wounded who are… pic.twitter.com/4cluCF9B2B
What is President Trump saying about the war now?
The attacks come as President Trump says Zelenskyy shares the blame for the start of the war.
“You know he’s no angel,” Trump told Fox News about Zelenskyy. “He shouldn’t have allowed this war to happen.”
Trump also mentioned Russian President Vladimir Putin this week in a post on Truth Social.
“I’m going to do Russia, whose economy is failing, and President Putin, a very big favor. Settle now, and stop this ridiculous war! It’s only going to get worse,” Trump said.
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Trump said he is ready to meet with Putin as soon as possible, giving an ultimatum that if the war doesn’t end he will put higher taxes, tariffs and sanctions on anything being sold by Russia to the United States.
Tags: building fire, Donald Trump, Drones, Russia, Russia-Ukraine War, Russian Oil, Truth Social, Ukraine, Vladimir Putin, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, War
[Ryan]
EVEN THOUGH PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP CAMPAIGNED ON A PROMISE TO END THE WAR IN UKRAINE IN 24 HOURS ONCE IN OFFICE…NEW DEVELOPMENTS AND A SERIES OF BACK AND FORTH DRONE ATTACKS BETWEEN RUSSIA AND UKRAINE … SERVE AS SIGNS FIGHTING ISN’T SLOWING DOWN.
UKRAINE’S MILITARY LAUNCHED DRONES INTO RUSSIA FRIDAY, HITTING OIL FACILITIES IN RYAZAN AND A MICROELECTRONICS PRODUCTION PLANT IN BRYANSK.
THE ATTACKS ARE THE LATEST IN UKRAINE’S EFFORT TO DISRUPT THE RUSSIAN MILITARY BY HITTING THE KREMLIN IN ITS POCKETBOOK… PUTTING PRESSURE ON THE COUNTRY’S ECONOMY BY STRIKING THE OIL INDUSTRY – MOSCOW’S MAIN SOURCE OF REVENUE.
RUSSIAN DRONES ALSO ATTACKED UKRAINE FRIDAY … KILLING THREE PEOPLE IN SEPARATE LOCATIONS NEAR KYIV, WHILE ALSO DAMAGING MULTIPLE BUILDINGS.
UKRAINIAN PRESIDENT VOLODYMYR ZELENSKYY POSTED VIDEO TO X SHOWING THE RESCUE EFFORTS WITH A MESSAGE SAYING – “WAS GRATEFUL TO EVERY LEADER AND EVERY COUNTRY EXERTING PRESSURE ON RUSSIA TO BRING THIS UNPROVOKED AND TERRORIST WAR TO AN END.”
THE ATTACKS COME AS PRESIDENT TRUMP … SAYS ZELENSKYY SHARES THE BLAME FOR THE START OF THE WAR.
you know he’s no angel.. he shouldnt have allowed this war to happen.
zelensky was fighting a much bigger entity, much bigger, much more powerful. he shouldn’t have done that, because we could have made a deal, and it would have been a deal that would have been, it would have been a nothing deal,”
TRUMP ALSO MENTIONED RUSSIAN PRESIDENT VLADMIR PUTIN THIS WEEK. …
IN A POST ONTRUTH SOCIAL, THE NEW PRESIDENT SAYS HE’SQUOTE GOING TO DO RUSSIA, WHOSE ECONOMY IS FAILING, AND PRESIDENT PUTIN, A VERY BIG FAVOR. SETTLE NOW, AND STOP THIS RIDICULOUS WAR! IT’S ONLY GOING TO GET WORSE.”
TRUMP SAYS HE’S READY TO MEET WITH PUTIN AS SOON AS POSSIBLE … AFTER SAYING HE WOULD END THE WAR IN 24 HOURS , TRUMP IS NOW
GIVING PUTIN AN ULTIMATUM THAT IF THE WAR DOESN’T END HE WILL PUT HIGHER TAXES, TARIFFS, AND SANCTIONS ON ANYTHING BEING SOLD BY RUSSIA TO THE UNITED STATES.FOR SAN I’M RYAN ROBERTSTON – FOR UNBIASED NEWS COVERAGE OF BUSINESS, POLITICS AND MORE – DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP TODAY.
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Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott is asking the federal government for $11 billion as a reimbursement for the border security measures he implemented during the Biden administration. Abbott said it would cover the costs the state has incurred since 2021 when he implemented Operation Lone Star.
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“President Biden’s policies left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented infiltration of violent criminals, known terrorists, and other hostile foreign actors, like the dangerous Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua,” Abbott wrote in a letter to congressional leaders on Thursday, Jan. 23. “I launched Operation Lone Star (OLS) to combat these threats to all Americans.”
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Abbott gave a cost breakdown of different measures he implemented:
- $3 billion to construct 100 miles of border wall and deploy buoys in the Rio Grande.
- $58 million on 200 miles of concertina wire and border fencing.
- $6 billion on personnel deployment, including 10,000 National Guard members and Texas Department of Public Safety troopers.
There are still 4,200 Texas National Guard members stationed at the border. There are 2,500 active duty military personnel in the region and on Wednesday, Jan. 22, the Defense Department announced it’s deploying 1,500 more. They will install physical barriers and assist with air and intelligence assets.
Abbott said his operation led to an 87% reduction in illegal crossings along the Texas border. He said in all, Texas law enforcement have arrested more than half a million migrants who were in the country illegally and prevented 140,000 crossings.
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Congress would need to include the money in either the government funding package or a supplemental funding package. It could also repurpose money that has already been allocated for border security using budget reconciliation. That would technically be easier because it only requires a simple majority in the Senate, rather than 60 votes, meaning Republicans could do it alone.
Tags: Border, Border crossings, Border patrol, border wall, Greg Abbott, Money, Texas, U.S.-Mexico Border
[Ray]
Texas Governor Greg Abbott is asking the federal government for $11 billion as a reimbursement for the border security measures he implemented during the Biden Administration. Abbott said it would cover the costs the state has incurred since 2021 when he implemented Operation Lone Star.
Abbott wrote in a letter to Congressional leaders “President Biden’s policies left Texas and the rest of America defenseless against an unprecedented infiltration of violent criminals, known terrorists, and other hostile foreign actors. I launched Operation Lone Star (OLS) to combat these threats to all Americans.”
Abbott gave a cost breakdown of different measures he implemented:
- $3 billion to construct 100 miles of border wall and deploy buoys in the Rio Grande
- $58 million on 200 miles of concertina wire and border fencing
- $6 billion on personnel deployment, including 10,000 National Guard soldiers and Department of Public Safety troopers.
There are still 4,200 Texas National Guard soldiers stationed at the border. There are 2,500 active duty military personnel in the region and on Wednesday the Defense Department announced it is deploying 1,500 more. They will install physical barriers and assist with air and intelligence assets.
Abbott says his operation led to an 87% reduction in illegal crossings along the Texas border. He said all together, Texas law enforcement have arrested more than half a million immigrants in the country illegally and prevented 140,000 crossings.
Congress would need to include the money in either the government funding package or a supplemental funding package. They could also repurpose some money that has already been allocated for border security using budget reconciliation. That would technically be easier because it only requires a simple majority in the Senate, rather than 60 votes, meaning Republicans could do it by themselves.
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Boeing saw another difficult year financially in 2024, announcing it lost $4 billion in the fourth quarter. Boeing experienced a machinist strike that began in September and resulted in the stoppage of most of Boeing’s commercial aircraft production.
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About 30,000 workers went on strike, seeking better wages. The labor action cost the company about $50 million per day, according to Bank of America.
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The strike ended in November 2024.
Boeing was also marred by maintenance problems throughout last year.
In January 2024, a door plug blew off an Alaska Airlines Boeing 737 Max 9 mid-flight. The door panel was missing bolts, sparking yet another round of questions and safety inspections.
The aircraft manufacturer was already under the microscope after two fatal 737 Max jetliner crashes. Hundreds of people were killed in both the 2018 Indonesia and 2019 Ethiopia accidents.
In addition, Boeing struggled with its defense unit. The company revealed it lost $1.7 billion on its KC-46A refueling tanker.
Still, Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg tried to paint an optimistic picture, saying the company took important steps to stabilize its business and that it was working hard to build a new future.
This week, President Donald Trump’s nominee for Transportation Secretary, Sean Duffy, said Boeing needs tough love to get back on track. He will keep the FAA-imposed production cap of 38 planes per month in place for the 737 Max. Duffy also said he plans to meet with Boeing leadership.
[CRAIG NIGRELLI]
2024 WAS ANOTHER VERY DIFFICULT YEAR FOR AIRCRAFT MANUFACTURER, BOEING. THE COMPANY ANNOUNCED IT LOST $4 BILLION DOLLARS IN THE FOURTH QUARTER.
IN ADDITION TO THE $4 BILLION LOSS FIGURE, BOEING HAD TO DEAL WITH A MACHINISTS STRIKE THAT BEGAN IN SEPTEMBER AND RESULTED IN THE STOPPAGE OF MOST OF BOEING’S COMMERCIAL AIRCRAFT PRODUCTION. SOME 30,000 WORKERS, WENT ON STRIKE SEEKING BETTER WAGES, COSTING THE COMPANY ABOUT $50 MILLION A DAY, ACCORDING TO BANK OF AMERICA. THE STRIKE ENDED IN NOVEMBER.
THE PLANE MAKER WAS ALSO MARRED BY MAINTENANCE PROBLEMS TO START 2024, AS A DOOR PLUG BLEW OFF A BOEING 737 MAX 9 FLIGHT IN MIDAIR, AFTER DEPARTING FROM PORTLAND, OREGON. THE DOOR PANEL WAS MISSING BOLTS, SPARKING YET ANOTHER ROUND OF QUESTIONS AND INSPECTIONS WHEN IT COMES TO SAFETY. BOEING HAD BEEN UNDER THE MICROSCOPE SINCE TWO OF ITS 737 MAX JETLINERS CRASHED – ONE IN INDONESIA IN 2018, ANOTHER IN ETHIOPIA IN 2019. HUNDREDS OF PEOPLE WERE KILLED.
IN ADDITION, BOEING STRUGGLED WITH ITS DEFENSE UNIT. THE COMPANY REVEALS IT LOST $1.7 BILLION ON ITS KC-46A REFUELING TANKER. STILL, BOEING CEO KELLY ORTBERG TRIED TO PAINT AN OPTIMISTIC PICTURE, SAYING “ ALTHOUGH WE FACE NEAR-TERM CHALLENGES, WE TOOK IMPORTANT STEPS TO STABILIZE OUR BUSINESS AND OUR TEAM REMAINS FOCUSED ON THE HARD WORK AHEAD TO BUILD A NEW FUTURE FOR BOEING.”
THIS WEEK, PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP’S NOMINEE FOR TRANSPORTATION SECRETARY SEAN DUFFY, SAID BOEING NEEDS TOUGH LOVE TO GET BACK ON TRACK. HE WILL KEEP THE FAA IMPOSED PRODUCTION CAP OF 38 PLANES PER MONTH IN PLACE FOR 737 MAX. DUFFY ALSO PLANS TO MEET WITH BOEING LEADERSHIP. FOR MORE UNBIASED UPDATES DOWNLOAD THE STRAIGHT ARROW NEWS APP
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President Donald Trump fulfilled a campaign promise by signing an executive order to declassify all remaining documents related to the assassinations of President John F. Kennedy, Sen. Robert F. Kennedy and civil rights icon Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. “Everything will be revealed,” Trump told reporters in the Oval Office while signing the executive order Thursday, Jan. 23.
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The assassinations of JFK, RFK and MLK Jr. have long been the subjects of widespread speculation and conspiracy theories. People have questioned whether the official narratives –– often involving lone gunmen –– are accurate, or if other forces were involved.
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The public has wondered if there are hidden details, concealed for decades, that could change our understanding of history.
President Kennedy was shot and killed while riding in a motorcade in Dallas, Texas, on Nov. 22, 1963. The suspect, Lee Harvey Oswald, told reporters he did not kill the president. Oswald was shot and killed two days later.
The President John F. Kennedy Assassination Records Collection Act of 1992 required the release of all documents related to JFK’s assassination by October 2017 — unless the president determined that the harm of releasing the files outweighed the public’s interest.
During Trump’s first term in office, he promised to release all the files. However, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., RFK’s son, told Tucker Carlson during an interview in August 2024 that former CIA Director and Trump’s then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo pressured Trump not to release the JFK documents.
“I talked to President Trump for the first time about that this week,” RFK Jr. told Carlson.
“What did he say?” Carlson asked.
“He said that, he said that Mike Pompeo begged him. And I don’t think I’m telling tales out of school here because he said the same thing to you,” RFK Jr. said.
“It’s true,” Carlson replied.
“But he said Mike Pompeo called him and said this would be a catastrophe to release these, you need to not do it,” RFK Jr. said.
People have questioned why all records related to a president’s assassination nearly 62 years ago have not been publicly released.
RFK Jr. has said he believes the CIA was involved in his uncle’s murder. He says keeping the remaining documents classified is the government’s way of covering it up.
After signing the executive order, Trump told his aide to give the pen he used to sign the order to “RFK Jr.”
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The executive order states that more than 50 years after their assassinations, “their families and the American people deserve transparency and truth. It is in the national interest to finally release all records related to these assassinations without delay.”
Tags: Assassination, conspiracy theories, Donald Trump, Executive Order, JFK, John F. Kennedy, Martin Luther King Jr., Robert F. Kennedy Jr.
PRESIDENT TRUMP MADE GOOD ON A CAMPAIGN PROMISE SIGNING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER TO DECLASSIFY ALL REMAINING DOCUMENTS RELATED TO THE ASSASSINATIONS OF PRESIDENT JOHN F KENNEDY, HIS BROTHER SENATOR ROBERT F KENNEDY, AND CIVIL RIGHTS ICON REVEREND DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JUNIOR.
“EVERYTHING WILL BE REVEALED,” TRUMP TOLD REPORTERS IN THE OVAL OFFICE WHILE SIGNING THE EO.
THE ASSASSINATIONS OF JFK, RKF, AND MLK JR. HAVE LONG BEEN SUBJECTS OF WIDESPREAD SPECULATION AND CONSPIRACY THEORIES. PEOPLE HAVE QUESTIONED WHETHER THE OFFICIAL NARRATIVES ABOUT THEIR DEATHS—OFTEN INVOLVING LONE GUNMEN—ARE ACCURATE, OR IF THERE WERE OTHER FORCES AT PLAY.
PEOPLE MAY WONDER IF THERE ARE DETAILS THAT HAVE BEEN HIDDEN FOR DECADES THAT COULD CHANGE OUR UNDERSTANDING OF HISTORY.
PRESIDENT KENNEDY WAS SHOT AND KILLED WHILE RIDING IN A MOTORCADE IN DALLAS, TEXAS ON NOVEMBER 22, 1963. THE SUSPECT, LEE HARVEY OSWALD, TOLD REPORTERS HE DID NOT KILL THE PRESIDENT. OSWALD WAS SHOT AND KILLED TWO DAYS LATER.
THE PRESIDENT JOHN F. KENNEDY ASSASSINATION RECORDS COLLECTION ACT OF 1992 REQUIRED ALL DOCUMENTS PERTAINING TO JFK’S ASSASSINATION TO BE RELEASED BY OCTOBER 2017 – UNLESS THE PRESIDENT DECIDED THE HARM IN RELEASING THE FILES OUTWEIGHED THE PUBLIC’S INTEREST.
DURING TRUMP’S FIRST TERM IN OFFICE, HE PROMISED TO RELEASE ALL THE FILES.
HOWEVER, ROBERT F KENNEDY JUNIOR, RFK’S SON, TOLD TUCKER CARLSON DURING AN INTERVIEW IN AUGUST 2024, THAT FORMER CIA DIRECTOR AND TRUMP’S THEN SECRETARY OF STATE MIKE POMPEO, PRESSURED TRUMP NOT TO RELEASE THE JFK DOCUMENTS.
“I TALKED TO PRESIDENT TRUMP FOR THE FIRST TIME ABOUT THAT THIS WEEK,” RKF JR TOLD TUCKER.
“WHAT DID HE SAY?” TUCKER ASKED.
“HE SAID THAT, HE SAID THAT MIKE POMPEO BEGGED HIM. AND I DON’T THINK I’M TELLING TALES OUT OF SCHOOL HERE BECAUSE HE SAID THE SAME THING TO YOU,” RKF JR. SAID.
“IT’S TRUE,” TUCKER REPLIED.
“BUT HE SAID MIKE POMPEO CALLED HIM AND SAID THIS WOULD BE A CATASTROPHE TO RELEASE THESE, YOU NEED TO NOT DO IT,” RFK JR. ASSERTED.
MANY HAVE QUESTIONED WHY ALL RECORDS RELATED TO A PRESIDENT’S ASSASSINATION NEARLY 62 YEARS AGO HAVE NOT BEEN RELEASED TO THE PUBLIC.
RKF JUNIOR HAS SAID HE BELIEVES THE CIA HAD SOMETHING TO DO WITH HIS UNCLE’S MURDER AND KEEPING THE REMAINING DOCUMENTS CLASSIFIED WAS THE GOVERNMENT’S WAY OF COVERING IT UP.
AFTER SIGNING THE EXECUTIVE ORDER, PRESIDENT TRUMP TOLD HIS AIDE TO GIVE THE PEN HE USED TO SIGN THE ORDER TO “RFK JR.”
THE EXECUTIVE ORDER STATES THAT MORE THAN 50 YEARS AFTER THEIR ASSASSINATIONS, “THEIR FAMILIES AND THE AMERICAN PEOPLE DESERVE TRANSPARENCY AND TRUTH. IT IS IN THE NATIONAL INTEREST TO FINALLY RELEASE ALL RECORDS RELATED TO THESE ASSASSINATIONS WITHOUT DELAY.”
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The Trump administration is preparing an executive order that would stop federal funding for gain-of-function (GOF) research, The Wall Street Journal reports. Gain-of-function is a controversial area of virus-related research that has been widely debated since the COVID-19 pandemic.
The research modifies a virus to increase its transmissibility, virulence or ability to evade the immune system. Essentially, it makes the virus more dangerous and deadly than its natural state.
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Scientists in favor of GOF research argue that it can provide crucial insights into how viruses evolve and spread.
People familiar with the matter, who spoke anonymously to the Journal, said the goal of the executive action would be to prevent U.S.-funded scientists from conducting GOF research on viruses that could threaten human health.
There is also a possibility that H5N1, also known as bird flu, could be exempt from the order.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., and other Republicans have been critical of gain-of-function research. They claim that COVID-19 is the product of it and leaked from a lab at the Wuhan Institute of Virology.
Paul has accused Dr. Anthony Fauci, the former director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, of knowingly funding gain-of-function research at the Wuhan lab with federal funds.
The origin of the COVID-19 pandemic remains undetermined. In October 2021, the Office of the Director of National Intelligence released a declassified report asserting that it could not conclusively prove the origins of COVID-19.
The president has not finalized his executive action.
THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION IS PREPARING AN EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT WOULD STOP FEDERAL FUNDING FOR GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH, THE WALL STREET JOURNAL REPORTS.
GAIN-OF-FUNCTION IS A RESEARCH INTO VIRUSES AND IT’S BEEN A CONTROVERSIAL TOPIC SINCE THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC.
GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH MODIFIES A VIRUS TO INCREASE ITS TRANSMISSIBILITY, VIRULENCE, OR ABILITY TO EVADE THE IMMUNE SYSTEM ESSENTIALLY MAKE A VIRUS MORE DANGEROUS AND DEADLY THAN WHAT’S FOUND IN NATURE.
RESEARCHERS ARGUE IN FAVOR OF GAIN-OF-FUNCTION (GOF) RESEARCH BECAUSE IT CAN PROVIDE CRUCIAL INSIGHTS INTO HOW VIRUSES EVOLVE AND SPREAD.
PEOPLE FAMILIAR WITH THE MATTER SPOKE ANONYMOUSLY TO THE JOURNAL SAYING THE GOAL OF THE EXECUTIVE ACTION WOULD BE TO PREVENT U.S.-FUNDED SCIENTISTS FROM CONDUCTING “GAIN-OF-FUNCTION” RESEARCH ON VIRUSES THAT COULD POSE A THREAT TO HUMAN HEALTH.
THERE’S ALSO A POSSIBILITY H5N1 ALSO KNOWN AS BIRD FLU COULD BE EXEMPT FROM THE ORDER.
SENATOR RAND PAUL AND OTHER REPUBLICANS HAVE BEEN CRITICAL OF GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH AS THEY CLAIM COVID-19 LEAKED FROM THE LAB AT THE WUHAN INSTITUTE OF VIROLOGY.
SENATOR PAUL HAS ACCUSED DR. ANTHONY FAUCI, THE FORMER DIRECTOR OF THE NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF ALLERGY AND INFECTIOUS DISEASES, OF KNOWINGLY FUNDING GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH AT THE WUHAN LAB USING WITH FEDERAL FUNDS.
SEN. PAUL: “DR. FAUCI, DO YOU STILL SUPPORT FUNDING OF THE NIH FUNDING OF THE LAB IN WUHAN?”
FAUCI: “SENATOR PAUL, WITH ALL DUE RESPECT, YOU ARE ENTIRELY AND COMPLETELY INCORRECT. THAT THE NIH HAS NOT EVER AND DOES NOT NOW FUND GAIN-OF-FUNCTION RESEARCH IN THE WUHAN INSITITUE OF VIROLOGY.”
THE ORIGIN OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC REMAINS UNDETERMINED. IN OCTOBER 2021, THE OFFICE OF THE DIRECTOR OF NATIONAL INTELLIGENCE RELEASED A DECLASSIFIED REPORT ASSERTING IT COULD NOT PROVIDE A CONCLUSION ON THE ORIGINS OF COVID-19.
THE PRESIDENT’S EXECUTIVE ACTION HAS NOT YET BEEN FINALIZED.
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